


LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 


ChapT?-^ Copyright Ko.— 
Shelf..* M 


UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 

















































































, 




* 






• MR. WORLD 

-AND- 

MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

-OR- 

The Secret Service of Satan. 


AN ALLEGORY. 


/ 

By Rev. W. S. Harris. 

11 

Introduction by Bishop R. Dubbs, D. D.. LL. D. 


Illustrated by Paul J. Krafft. 


Publisher : 

G. HOLZAPFEL, 
Cleona, Pa. 


1900. 

L . 


88999 

Library of Congress 

Two Copies Received 

DEC 15 1900 

. Copyright ontry 

c Jrv-r. *2- Sr, oc 

No . . ?Sf). .9. !?. . Prr. 

SECOND COPY 

Odivwod to 

ORDER DIVISION 

DEC 18 1900 


■f2-2> 

, H ^ 


COPYRIGHT, 1900 
BY 

W. S. HARRIS- 


TO 

EDWIN L. BERGSTRESSER 

WHOSE TESTED FRIENDSHIP I HAVE 
ENJOYED FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS AND 
WHOSE KINDLY INFLUENCE HELPED 
ME TO PERSEVERE IN WRITING 
THIS ALLEGORY 

THIS BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY 

DEDICATED. 












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Preface 


/^y ) I FTER long and careful study we send 
1 1 LSI forth this book to do its work. We offer 
no apology for adding one more volume 
to the endless library of modern times, constant- 
ly increasing at the rate of over one hundred 
volumes per week, the great bulk of which is 
consigned to the debris of the passing years. We 
pray that this book may find a field of useful- 
ness, rather than an early grave. 

We need not tell of the pleasures and difficul- 
ties we experienced in preparing these twenty- 
four chapters for the press. Let it be known, 
however, that we were seconded and assisted by 
several able critics who, each one independently 
of the others, kindly reviewed the manuscript. 
At the suggestions of these critics minor chang- 
es were made in the several manuscript editions. 
These critics deserve much credit especially for 
the literary finish there may be to this book. 

As you read the chapters you may wonder 
how we became so familiar with the secrets of 
Satan’s work. If you cannot find a solution to 
this query between the lids of the book, do not 
seek it from the publisher or the author. Upon 
a careful perusal of the pages you will find that 
the book is its own interpreter. 

The illustrations were drawn by Paul J. 


6 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Krafft, of New York. They evince patient study 
and careful work, and display a creative genius 
well suited to the field of allegory. 

The leading moral truths are developed in 
the memorable journey of Miss Church -Member 
upon the Broad Highway in company with the 
polite and yet fiendish Mr. World. In this life- 
like journey the two companions come in contact 
with many of Satan's up-to-date schemes and 
witness his fiendish and far-ext ended operations 
in many a wicked realm. In the descriptions of 
all these things we have endeavored to be sug- 
gestive rather than exhaustive, for we have 
withheld the almost infinite details and brought to 
light only a mere synopsis of the panorama as 
seen from the lofty summit. 

Will not the reader, as he takes one step after 
another in the progress of the story, realize more 
keenly than ever the unspeakable deceptions of 
Satan, so bewitchingly robed in the garments of 
subtle treachery? 

The course of Miss Church-Member is but a 
sad comment on the moving masses who are so 
thoroughly led captive by the Devil as to imagine 
that they are traveling on a more convenient way 
to Heaven while they are actually on the Broad 
Highway to destruction. The logical ending of 
such a life is pictured in the remorseful and 
tragical experiences of Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member in the Valley of the Shadow of 
Death. It is my prayer that each reader may be 


PREFACE. 


7 


saved from such a terminus of life by journeying 
on the King’s Highway and taking Christ as his 
all in all. Then when he comes to the place made 
shadowy by the power of sin and death, he will be 
surrounded with a light from the sure city of God 
and by a convoy of angels whose music will quell 
his rising fears, and by whose power he will be 
transported to his never-ending home. 

THE AUTHOR. 


Synopsis of Contents. 


CHAPTER I.— Page 19. 

The Meeting of Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member. 

1. The dying of a century compared to the waning of 
a day. 

2. The allegory opens with a panoramic view of 
human life, as seen through the open door of the 20th 
century, on the Broad Highway and King’s Highway. 
Blackana is introduced. 

3. Mr. World meets Miss Church-Member at a place 
called Fellowship. From here she journeys with him on 
the Broad Highway where she witnesses several sad end- 
ings of human life. 

CHAPTER II.— Page 32. 

The By-Path. 

1. In their journey Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member come to the By-Path leading to the King’s High- 
way; on this Miss Church-Member urges Mr. World to 
travel. He defers so decisive a step and defends his 
attitude by the use of sophistry. 

2. Miss Church-Member, still hoping to win Mr. 
World to a better path, still forsakes the King’s High- 
way and continues in his company. 

3. A tilt with Blackana who defended Miss Church- 
Member for traveling on the Broad Highway. 

CHAPTER III.— Page 41. 

The Devil’s Optical College. 

1 . The college described. 

2. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member have their 
eyes examined, and Miss Church- Member is supplied with 
lenses which warp her spiritual vision. 

3. The allegory shows how Satan supplies every 
conceivable kind of lenses to suit the people of the world 
and the church. 

4. Blackana, with deceptive words, attempts to defend 
Satan’s course. 


SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS. 


9 


CHAPTER IV.— Page 50. 

Satan Interpreting Scripture. 

1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member now take an 
easier method of traveling-, for they ride on a strange 
vehicle down the gravity road. 

2. Miss Church-Member reads her Bible by the aid 
of her new glasses. 

3. She is assisted in understanding it by a minion of 
Satan who comes robed as an angel of light. 

4. Her glasses enable her to distinguish between the 
inspired and the uninspired parts of the Bible for which 
ability she is highly complimented. 

CHAPTER V.— Page 62. 

The Devil’s Pawn Shop. 

1. Miss Church-Member with her new glasses looks 
upon her attire and. not being satisfied with her pil- 
grim’s robe, she exchanges it for up-to-date apparel. 

2. The similar action of Mr. Deacon and Mr. Elder 
described. 

CHAPTER VI.— Page 77. 

Satan’s Law Departments, 

( Underground.) 

1. An allegorical representation of Satan’s under- 
handed methods in law and politics. All seen during a 
thrilling journey with Blackan'a through the underground 
regions (level below level) where the laws of Hell are 
hatched . 

2 A realistic - climax — ultimate triumph of right in 
the civil realm. 

CHAPTER VII.— Page 94. 

The Hill of Remorse. 

1. While climbing a steep hill Miss Church-Member 
is touched by Remorse. 

2. Satan’s strategy in keeping her away from the 
Narrow Way. 

3. All her trouble is lost in company with Mr. 
World on the Mountain-top of Apathy. 

CHAPTER VIII.— Page 104. 

The Valley of Temptation. 

1. In this valley the two great Highways run almost 


10 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


parallel. 

2. The intervening ground is all alive with Satan's 
schemes to entice, entrap, and discourage Christians. 

3. The operation of Christian forces in this valley. 

CHAPTER IX.— Page 116. 

The Tower of Temptation. 

1. The tower affords the most advantageous view of 
the world and a most discouraging view of the King’s 
Highway. 

2. The triumphant flight of Mrs. Discouraged from 
the tower’s top to a place on the King’s Highway called 
“Victory by Faith.” 

3. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member ride from 
the tower’s top in Satan’s new air ship. 

CHAPTER X.— Page 128. 

Dark Schemes of Satan. 

1. The two companions land far down the valley on 
the “Midway,” whence they take the Mountain Trolley 
and visit the underground Schools of Suicide. 

2. Satan’s primitive address on Literature. 

CHAPTER XI.— Page 137. 

Schools of Literature. First and Second 
Divisions. 

1. The schools described. 

2. The literature of the world tainted by the teachers 
of darkness. 

3. Satan’s rules for the winning author. 

CHAPTER XII.— Page 150. 

Schools of Literature. Third Division. 

1. Seven separate halls described. 

2. The far-reaching schemes of Satan to pollute the 
Press and the Pen. 

CHAPTER XIII.— Page 164. 

The Devil’s Temperance College. 

1. Mr. World and his companion visit this immense 
college, with many wings, all df voted to teaching every 
phase of the temperance question in accordance with 
Satan’s views. 

2. A view of the millions who attend this college. 


SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS, 


11 


CHAPTER XIV.— Page 178. 

Infernal School System. 

1. A general view of the vast University of the 
World with all its subordinate operations. All working 
in harmony to destroy the good that God would do in the 
world. 

CHAPTER XV.— Page 185. 

Expert Inventors of the Broad Highway. 

1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member fail to see 
the Ways and Means Committee at work. 

2. They are directed to the city where expert inven- 
tors are constantly employed in devising weapons and all 
kinds of devices. 

3. They see a few inventions which are just being 
perfected to facilitate the services of the churches along 
the King’s Highway. 

CHAPTER XVI.— Page 201. 

The Wizard City. 

1. The weird city of inventors described. 

2. xts ultimate overthrow predicted in a realistic 
climax. 


CHAPTER XVII.— Page 210. 

The Festival. 

1. The whole scheme of merchandising in the church 
is laid bare as Satan explains the origin of the word 
““Festival. ” 

CHAPTER XVIII.— Page 223. 

The Missionary College. 

1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member visit the 
great college, and are strongly influenced in favor of 
Satan's teachings concerning missionary work 

CHAPTER XIX.— Page 232. 

The Rival Churches. 

1. The two companions visit a church on the By- 
Path and are disgusted. 

2. Then they are delighted with the services of the 
Church of the World whose minister they visit. 


12 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 


CHAPTER XX.— Page 244. 

From the Valley of Conviction to the Devil’s 
Auction. 

1 . Depression of Miss Church-Member. 

2. Merry Village. 

3. The Famous Cross Roads. 

4. The Devil’s Auction. 

CHAPTER XXI.— Page 259. 

The Devil’s Hospital. 

1. Miss Church-Member, suddenly attacked with 
heart trouble, is hurried away do the Hospital. 

2. She receives the attention of Satan’s fiendish 
surgical operators. 

3. A visit through the various wings of the Hospital 
and sub-offices. The fiendish work described. 

CHAPTER XXII.— Page 278. 

Satan’s Secret Service. 

1. While Miss Churcn-Member is convalescent, Mr. 
World alone visits the underground apartments where 
secret sins are taught. 

2, The last horrible stages of vice represented. 

CHAPTER XXIII.— Page 287. 

The Last Warning. 

1. Miss Church-Member is now induced to frequent 
the haunts of vice in *‘The Wicked Valley.” 

2. The blessed work of Warning as given by rescue 
bands from the King’s Highway. 

3. The heedless throngs passing by.. 

4. The experiences at this place of Mr. World and 
Miss Church-Member. 

CHAPTER XXIV.— Page 297. 

The Valley of the Shadow of Death. 

1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member getting 
farther from the light. 

2. They drift into the deepening shadows where the 
path-could be traveled only one way. 

3. The terrible experience of the two companions 
contending with the imps of the dark valley. 

4. Their sad and tragic end as they catch a glimpse 
of what they might have been. 


Introduction. 


OBy Bishop Rudolph Dubbs, D. D., LL. D. 

N response to the earnest request of the 



author of this book I have written these 


introductory words, after a careful, de- 
liberate reading of the allegory. What I have 
written expresses my own opinion of the book, 
uninfluenced by motives of friendship for the 
author or any other consideration. 

The book is a powerful allegory, somewhat 
after the style of Pilgrim’s Progress, but in no 
sense is it an imitation of any existing work of 
the kind. It is a masterful presentation, wrought 
out with excellent judgment and consummate 
skill. 

The creatures of the author’s vivid imagination 
are perfectly formed and fittingly clothed, living, 
moving, feeling, talking, in complete harmony as 
the development of the great drama goes on to its 
consummation. The author has evidently made a 
careful and profound study of the manitold dan- 
gers which beset the Christian church and 
threaten her spirituality, and consequently her 
influence and power in saving the lost and main- 
taining the gospel standard of life and godliness 
in the world. 

The encroachments of worldlings upon the 


14 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

church are truthfully and graphically set forth. 
The manifold forms of temptation and danger are 
clearly exposed, and faithful, tender, earnest 
warnings and admonitions are set over against 
them. In depicting the various efforts of Satan 
and his agents to lead Christians away from God 
and duty, the author shows an extensive knowl- 
edge of the devices of the evil one, as well as a 
clear insight into the drift and tendency of 
modern forms of wickedness. 

The final results of compromise with the 
world are set forth in vivid, graphic pictures 
drawn on the dark shadows as with a pencil of 
fire. The downward course of the deluded soul 
is followed, step by step; the snares and delusions 
of sin are exposed; the mask of vice is relentless- 
ly torn away, and church- members can here see 
what fellowship with the world really means and 
whither it leads. 

The religious tone of the book throughout is 
excellent. The delusive character of sin is plain- 
ly pointed out. The devices of Satan are laid 
bare with unsparing hand. The abominations of 
vice are not concealed. All this is done in lan- 
guage well chosen and unexceptionable. 

The Christian life is pictured without cant 
or exaggeration. The beauty and blessedness of 
a devoted life are eloquently portrayed. True re- 
ligion with its present comforts and its great re- 
wards is presented in a most attractive form, 
and the contrast between the worldling and the 


INTRODUCTORY. 


15 


faithful Christian, here and hereafter, is impres- 
sively set forth. 

With this favorable opinion of the book to 
whose edifying pages I introduce the reader, I 
deem it proper for me also to recommend it most 
heartily as a book worthy of a place on every 
family table and in every Sunday-school library. 
Let young and old read its fascinating and in- 
structive pages. Let it be circulated by hun- 
dreds and thousands of copies. May the bless- 
ing of God attend the book in its mission and 
ministry wherever it is read. 

The author will not think me unduly critical 
when I suggest that, in a second edition of his 
book, he should more fully expose the demoraliz- 
ing and destructive influence of the theater, and 
that he should not unmask Satan so early in his 
intercourse with the wordly church. 

RUDOLPH DUBBS, 


Chicago , III., Dec. 1900. 
















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Looking Through the Open Door of the Twentieth Century. 

See pages 21, 22 . 


CHAPTER I. 


The Meeting of Mr. World and Miss Church- 


Member, 


1. The dying- of a century compared to the waning of 
a day. 

2. The allegory opens with a panoramic view of 
human life, as seen through the open door of the 20th 
century, on the Broad Highway and King’s Highway. 
Blackana is introduced. 

3. Mr. World meets Miss Church-Member at a place 
called Fellowship. From here she journeys with him on 
the Broad Highway where she witnesses several sad end- 
ings of human life. 

N the closing hours of a long day I climbed a 



rugged path to a high eminence whence I 


overlooked a beautiful valley, and watch- 
ed, with increasing delight, the changing hues of 
earth and sky. 

As the shadows of twilight were deepening 
each moment grew more strange and mysterious, 
until the waning day seemed to be transformed 
into the dying of the century; then I saw, as 
“through a glass darkly,” the whole panorama of 
human life, with its painful pictures of sadness 
and sin, and its blessed scenes of peace and 
righteousness. I also heard the unmistakable 
wails of a suffering humanity and the turmoils of 
myriad contentions, all strangely mingling with 


B 


20 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH- MEMBER. 

the songs ctf glory and the shouts of spiritual 
triumph. 

In deep silence I continued looking upon 
these endless confusions of the church and the 
world, as they still played their perplexing parts 
in the fitful drama before me — all of which so 
preyed upon my mind that I involuntarily cried 
out, in the anguish of my soul: “When will con- 
fusion come to an end, and sweet peace cover the 
earth as the waters cover the sea ?” 

“Will you wait for the winds to answer, or 
shall I?” replied a voice so passing strange that 
I was startled. 

I turned to see in whose presence I was and, 
to my horror, I beheld a dark creature unlike 
any mortal being. He was without definite form 
and not cumbered with any garments His inde- 
scribable face was set with two bright eyes, soften- 
ed in expression until a slight halo revealed to 
me a countenance half beautiful and half terrible. 

“Who are you, and what is your mission ?” 
I finally ventured to ask, after speech had found 
my lips, for I was altogether ignorant of his na- 
ture or purpose. 

“I am Blackana, from the lower world of 
spirits, and am commanded here to stay until re- 
leased. ” 

“Until released? What power binds you 
here, and how long will you abide ?” I asked in 
dread suspense. 

“I must remain, as your companion and inter- 


THEIR MEETING. 


21 %' 

preter, until the vision is past.” 

I trembled under these announcements, but 
I was assured that underneath me were “the 
everlasting arms” and, moreover, I heard a still, 
small voice whispering within me: “Stand still, . 
O mortal man ! Neither Blackana nor any of his 
horde shall do thee harm. He hovers before thee 
at my bidding, and will leave only at my com- 
mand. Ask him what thou wilt, and he must 
answer thee, even to the limit of his knowledge.”" 

At this juncture, and without a moment’s 
warning, my vision was enlarged and an unusual 
light flashed upon me. Quickly I cast my wonder- 
ing eyes all about me and saw that I was stand- 
ing at the very threshold of a great door. It was 
of such imposing dimensions and so magnificent- 
ly constructed that only the architects of Heaven 
could have designed it. 

Instinctively I turned to JBlackana, whom I 
could now face without fear: “Where are we, and 
what is the meaning of this great door?” And 
as I spoke unseen hands swung it open . upon its 
hinges. 

“We are standing at the open door of the 
twentieth century. You may look out into the 
coming years as far as you wish,” replied Black- 
ana in a cold.indifferent manner. 

Thrilled by such an unusual sight, and the 
thought which his interpretation and words sug- 
gested, I marveled at his sullenness, for Black- 
ana did not so much as lift his head to see the 


: $2 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


• spectacle. 

“O, Blackana!” I cried, “why are you so dead 
to such surroundings ?” 

“These are mere playthings,” was his gruff 
reply. “To me the doors of the centuries, which 
open and shut on the cycles of time, areas trifles, 
neither lessening my misery nor adding to my 
pleasure.” 

During a brief, thoughtful silence I looked at 
him, as a shudder swept my whole being. I then 
turned from this creature so shrouded in mys- 
tery and, stepping forward to look through the 
open door, I was suddenly overawed at the still 
greater scenes which spread in wondrous vistas 

• before my entranced vision. 

'Under the new light T beheld a marvelous 
sight, for I could distinctly see the myriad mil- 
lions of humanity ^moving on the paths of life to- 
ward a common goal. 

In the bright halo of the scene I saw the 
beautiful King’s Highway, on which were march- 
ing the hosts of the church militant, led triumph- 
antly by the Spirit of God to the very gates of 
the Celestial City, which, though distant, I could 
yet see under the dazzling light which radiated 
from the central throne of glory as from untold 
suns. 

In the darker shadows of this same panorama 
I saw the Broad Highway with its thronging 
multitudes. Some, with deliberate step, scruti- 
nizing the objects along the way; others, in mad 


THEIR MEETING. 


23 


haste, rushing on toward an awful destruction, 
whose wreck and ruin loomed up dimly in the 
glare of an eternal burning. 

Amongst the happy pilgrims of the King’s 
Highway was one named Miss Church-Member, 
who had left the Broad Way of death, and enter- 
ed, through Christ, into that marvelous light 
wherein she was now walking. Her tread was in 
sweet harmony with the footsteps of her Master, 
and her beautiful face was all aglow with the 
passion of pure love. 

A pilgrim’s robe added beauty to her form; a 
Bible, carried under her arm, gave some evi- 
dence of her spiritual character; and a religious 
emblem, worn over her heart, told that she was a 
member of some Christian organization. 

'“ Miss Church-Member, in traveling her chosen 
path, tarried at a place called Fellowship, which 
occupied a pleasing site close by the King’s High- 
way. Here one could readily speak and associate 
with the travelers who moved in gay companies 
along the Broad Highway. 

At this visiting place she met a certain Mr. 
World — a good, jolly fellow, of corpulent build, 
who was attired in the fashion of the day, and 
bore himself with more than usual jauntiness in 
the presence of Miss Church-Member. 

After a pleasing conversation, in which Mr. 
World plied his Satanic shrewdness and sophis- 
try, he was emboldened to give this brief invita- 
tion: “Will you journey a short distance with me 


24 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

on this Broader Way, that I may prepare myself, 
with more facility, to accompany you where you 
wish, even on a path as narrow as the one you 
seem to love ?” 

“Ah, Mr. World,” she said, with a tolerant 
smile, “do you not know that you are walking on 
the way of danger and death ? Why would you 
have me share your folly ? It were a thousand 
times better for you to join me at once on a path 
that leads to everlasting happiness. Here you 
can drink the water of life in abundance, and feed 
upon angels’ food. 0, come, Mr. World,” she 
added as she spoke more earnestly, “linger no 
longer, carry out the resolution which you have 
already broken repeatedly, and you will never re- 
gret so wise an action.” Thus did Miss Church- 
Member urge upon him a course which, in her 
inimitable missionary spirit, she made really 
attractive to him. Although he appreciated her 
genuine earnestness, yet he could not be induced 
to heed her words. 

“You have covered the whole field of my in- 
tention, ” he courteously replied. “I sincerely 
wish to mend my w T ays, but there are certain 
things I must first overcome. How much better 
I could do this if one like you, in ’whom I have 
supreme confidence, w T ould but journey at my 
side. Will you not do the work of a good mission- 
ary and, like Christ, adapt yourself to my level, 
that I may, by your uplifting influence, be drawn 
into a nobler life, and even have your companion- 


THEIR MEETING. 


25 


ship as I go up to the Highway of your King ?” 

Miss Church-Member, being of a sympa- 
thetic nature and of strong missionary proclivi- 
ties, refused to heed her many counselors who 
feared for her safety, and actually stepped still 
farther from her wonted path, and journeyed atthe 
side of Mr. World with the desire to compass his 
conversion. But her conscience, at first, troubled 
her, and her feet moved with a suspicious tread. 

In this nervous, halt confiding and half shrink- 
ing mood, she leaned lightly upon his arm, ever 
turning a deaf ear to the entreaties of her well- 
meaning friends who still hoped to dissuade her 
from this ill-advised course. 

Mr. World was keenly delighted at her con- 
cession and loyalty to him. He seemed to be will- 
ing to go to any sacrifice that might add to her 
comfort or increase her happiness. His many 
companions could readily see that Miss Church- 
Member felt “out of place.” But she justified 
her own course by what she was aiming to do. 

He saw that her diess of righteousness was 
in wide contrast with the filthy rags that covered 
his own soul, and so he preferred to look upon the 
garments that adorned his outer person, and the 
gaudy scenes on either side of the way. 

I beheld this wide path along a great length, 
and I shuddered as I saw the masses thereon who 
were engaged in the frivolities of life as found in 
the swiftly passing pleasures of sense and sight. 
The thoughtless throngs were seemingly un- 


26 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

conscious that underneath the whole length and 
breadth of tiie path were strata of fire, and were 
apparently blind to the sulphurous flames which, 
here and there, issued from openings into which 
many an unsuspecting traveler fell. 

Sad to relate, of all the moving multitudes 
there were but few, indeed, who took warning 
and fled toward the King's Highway. Many, like 
Miss Church-Member, were walking on the for- 
bidden path for no other reason than some weak 
apology. 

“What mean these lurid openings?” nervous- 
ly asked Miss Church- Member, for their flames 
excited her terror. 

Mr. World replied, with a look of surprise: 
“Have you never heard that these are to give light 
to pilgrims, such as we? Without them the way 
would prove but dark and dreary. ” 

“What a contrast,” she exclaimed, “between 
these lights and those that illumine the King's 
Highway! They shine from above, with increas- 
ing splendor; while these cast forth, from below, 
their uncertain lights. It seems to me that the 
farther we go the darker becomes the way, and 
its lights the more inconstant, so fitful is their 
gruesome glare.” 

“Ah! I see what ails you,” responded Mr. 
World, “your eyes are at fault. We will present- 
ly meet the expert who will correct your vision 
ere your eyes are totally ruined.” 

The attention of Miss Church-Member was 







Miss Church-Member Hurries to the Rescue of an Unfortunate Victim, 


THEIR MEETING. 


29 


suddenly attracted by seeing a man who was 
just sinking out of sight into the fire of destruc- 
tion. As soon as he disappeared, the flames burst 
forth in fury through the newly* made opening. 
Instantly a servant of Satan covered the breach 
so that observers could no more hear the wails of 
the poor man, nor smell the fumes from the burn- 
ing strata. 

Then did I look and, behold, I saw such 
places In countless variety, each attended by a 
servant of the Black Prince. Each opening made 
by an unfortunate victim was promptly sealed, so 
that others, in passing along, would the more 
readily be ensnared in one of these fatal fissures. 

Miss Church-Member was more than alarmed 
at these sad endings of human life which now 
came to her attention more vividly than when 
she traveled on the King's Highway. 

She also saw, not far ahead of her, a woman 
sinking in utter despair, and ran to rescue her. 
But the unfortunate victim fell to her wretched 
ruin before the hands of Miss Church- Member 
could give assistance. 

“Help! help! I sink I know not whither, ” 
was her wailing cry, as she was passing out of 
sight, her arms outstretched beseechingly to- 
ward her would-be rescuer who arrived in time 
to see the first greedy flames that issued from 
the fresh opening. 

“Oh, horror !” shrieked Miss Church-Member 
as she turned toward Mr. World. “That ought to 


30 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

be enough to keep every one from every snare 
of wickedness and vice. ” 

Without a moment’s delay a demon rushed to 
the fiery opening and covered it from sight, com- 
pleting his work so quickly and with such skill 
that neither the opening nor the glare of the 
flames were lcnger perceptible. But Miss 
Church-Member refused to leave the soot, and 
with tears she urged Mr. World to place there a 
sign of warning so that other short-sighted mor- 
tals who came that way might read and heed. 

“It would be only a waste of time and energy. 
I have seen hundreds of such places where 
travelers have gone down, even under the sign of 
the Cross.” 

“Indeed, Mr. World, I feel as though I should 
stand here and speak words of personal warning 
to any one who might seem determined to walk 
in such a terrible path as this.” Her finger point- 
ed to the spot where she had just seen the poor 
victim fall to rise no more. 

'r “Look over there,” he hurriedly spoke, as he 
touched her arm. “Do you see that woman with 
her steps in the same direction ? Now try your 
skill,” he added with more sneer than sympathy 
in his voice 

She did not tarry to resent his attitude, but 
quickly went to the woman and asked her to pause 
a moment. 

“Are you willing to be saved from destruc- 
tion ?” earnestly asked Miss Church-Member. 


THEIR MEETING. 


31 


“I am safe enough,” was the indifferent re- 
ply* 

“You are now walking rapidly toward an aw- 
ful death,” were her further words of warning. 

“What right have you to judge me,” she curt- * 
ly replied, “since you also are on this Broad 
Highway ? Have I not heard already the words 
of warning from those who also wear the pilgrim’s 
robe, but who journeyed on the King’s Highway ? 
Their words brought conviction to my heart and 
tears to my eyes, but your words only stir up my 
indignation.” 

“Why speak so unkindly to a friend? My 
only intention is to do you good. I just saw one 
who came to a horrible end by continuing a little 
farther in the same course that you are now pur- 
suing.” 

Then did the wicked woman fly into a rage. 
“You need no more concern yourself about me. I 
have two eyes— as many as you have. Look at 
your own future, not mine; at your own steps 
and not at another’s!” 

“Come,” impatiently spoke Mr. World, as he 
drew her by the arm, “it is just as I expected; 
let us get away from this sickly atmosphere.” 
But Miss Church- Member lingered, only to see 
the heedless woman step to the last extreme and 
sink hopelessly, while her piteous cries for hplp 
came too late for any to rescue her. 


CHAPTER II. 


The By-Path. 

1- In their journey Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member come to the By-Path leading to the King’s High- 
way; on this Miss Church-Member urges Mr. World to 
travel. He defers so decisive a step and defends his 
attitude by the use of sophistry. 

2. Miss Church-Member, still hoping to win Mr. 
World to a better path, still forsakes the King's High- 
way and continues in his company. 

3. A tilt with Blackana who defended Miss Church- 
Member for traveling on the Broad Highway. 


/^*HE highway of the world was so broad that 
W I one could walk thereon as loosely as he 
wished without fear of stepping from it. 

Along the way were so many things to at 
tract the attention that the farther Miss Church 
Member journeyed with Mr. World, the less fre 
quently she looked toward the King's Highway 
However. her face brightened and her hopes wax 
ed strong, as they suddenly came to a place 
where two ways met. 

With quick insight, Miss Church- Member 
saw that the By-Path was a blessed one and that 
it led directly to the King’s Highway. 

“Let us follow this shining path,” she hope- 
fully suggested. “I know it leads to the way of 
light and glory.” 


THE BY-PATH. 


33 


“Not such a path, my friend,” hastily re- 
plied Mr. World. “Do you not see the terrible 
hill to which it leads, and those who are even now 
struggling to climb its arduous heights ?” 

“I clearly see it all, ’’she calmly admitted, 
“but they who struggle most are endeavoring to 
carry many idols with them. If one will forsake 
his idols, he can, with ease and pleasure, mount 
to the shining summit which is but the edge of 
the King’s glorious Highway. Come, Mr. World, 
hesitate no more. Let procrastination end, and 
go with me even to the hill, and I will help you to 
the summit — but Another will help you more.” 

“Very true, very true,” he said, though some- 
what irritated, “but we have not yet come to the 
place where I may wisely follow your advice. 
This path turning away to the right leads to a 
place that may seem bright from this point, but 
nevertheless I know it to be a narrow, rugged 
way, whereon a few of your friends are trudging, 
eking out a miserable existence. Urge me not to 
go thither. If you leave me, I can neither ac- 
company you nor give you my assistance. Sure- 
ly you have learned, ere this, that your needs are 
of such a nature that you must inevitably suffer 
embarrassment without my little help.” 

Miss Church- Member, with eyes but partly 
open to her own folly, was greviously perplexed 
and not a little disappointed. She fell on her 
knees and wept. Looking up pleadingly into his 
eyes, she faltered: 


34 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Twice have I yielded to you since we en- 
tered into companionship. You well remember 
the solemn promise you made, but at each time 
you deferred its fulfillment, and now I must 
again hear your vain excuses. I have suffered 
much for your sake, and have now the enmity of 
many a former friend, and even my pilgrim robe 
is becoming stained with the filth of this way.*’ 

“Come, come, my fnend,b3 a woman and not a 
sickly suppliant. The portion of the King’s High- 
way which w’e w T ould reach from this point is too 
rough for my feet to travel. We will shortly 
come to a more convenient place; then I can think 
more seriously of leaving this way.” 

“Ah!” sighed Miss Church-Member, “you say 
that in your folly. I can testify, from knowledge, 
that the way is most delightful and leads to man- 
sions incorruptible in the Celestial City.” 

“Let us cease debating,” interrupted Mr. 
World, with ill-concealed impatience. ik If you 
have sacrificed so much through my fellowship 
and imagine that you can find better company, you 
may leave, but you cannot expect me to accompany 
you on so thorny and rough a path as this which 
you have so foolishly proposed.” 

Strengthened by the remnants of Christian 
virtue yet within her, she sprang to her feet and 
was about to execute her noble purpose of leav- 
ing him. But a number of Mr. World’s friends 
quickly rallied and complimented Miss Church- 
Member on the good she had already done. “Mr. 


THE BY-PATH. 


35 


World is a better man since he has known you, ” 
said one. “If you will continue walking with 
him on his own level, no one can estimate the 
amount of good you will yet do for him,” hope- 
fully spoke another. 

These unexpected testimonies aroused anew 
her missionary spirit and changed her thoughts 
to these yielding sentences: 

“No sacrifice is too great, if victory but comes 
at last. If there is hope that Mr, World will 
cease deceiving me and walk on the path of truth, 
I will consent to be his companion still a little 
farther.” 

“There is every hope of that, ” smilingly re- 
turned Mr. world as he suavely bowed to her and 
to the little group of companions who had given 
him such timely help. 

As I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Mem- 
ber moving on, in closer fellowship than ever, I wax- 
ed 'warm with indignation, and addressed Black- 
ana who was still lying at my side as motionless 
as the strata of the rock-ribbed earth: 

“Will you explain to me this folly of Miss 
Church Member, who has not only disgraced her 
cause before the fiendish Mr. World, but who also 
continues with him in such unseemly intimacy ?” 

“Miss Church- Member is not walking in 
folly. She is engaged in a njble work, endeavor- 
ing to elevate Mr. World to a Christian life, ’ * was 
the answer from the lips of Blackana in a low, 
heavy voice. 


36 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


‘‘Ah,” said I, with a feeling of suspicion, “she 
is shining from the wrong lighthouse. The rays 
of truth will never reach him as long as she is in 
that position. ” 

“Perhaps they might in a miraculous way,” 
suggested Biackana. 

“No good miracle is ever done in the steps of 
the Devil or in his dominions,” I answered with 
boldness. 

Then did Biackana enlarge himself.and as he 
replied he looked down upon me significantly. “O 
puny mortal, instruct me not in the miracles of 
my master. More great things are done under 
the canopies of Hell than mortals ever know. ” 

At first I was filled with alarm, but under 
the voice of One invisible I rose as with superhu- 
man strength, and looked at him unflinchingly. 
“0 horrible creature ! I fear you not in any of 
your passions. You would even destroy me if 
you could, but you are forever restrained by the 
Power that holds authority over all !” 

There was a sudden rustling. unlike anything 
I had ever heard. The uncanny creature dash- 
ed toward me in his awful fury. But I moved 
not, neither was I touched. Then I stretched 
forth my hand and commanded him, in the name 
of One who is Supreme, to cease his foolish rag- 
ings,else would he be instantly flung through the 
wastes of Hell. 

Biackana, knowing his limit, as all foul fiends 
do, dared to venture no further in his rage, but 


Let ox follow thin Nltlulny jmU», M liopd'ully ui^rtl MImm ( 'hiiivli Mnubn . See pun" 








G5 H/G 









■ 















THE BY-PATH. 


39 


calmed himself and, with unexpected civility, he 
addressed me. He told me, in close detail, how 
that Mr. World, by his binding promises to his 
companion, had played the part of folly rather 
than Miss Church- Member who did nothing more 
than enter upon a more convenient and a Broader 
Way to heaven, and that too, in good company. 

“And what think you, will Mr. World ever 
fulfill his binding promises ?” 

“Do not doubt it, sir; Mr. World is an honor- 
able gentleman. His promises are always ful- 
filled ” 

“A lie ! A lie ! Can you not speaE the truth ?” 

Again he was about to rise into terrible pro- 
portions when a great hand moved the door on its 
hinges. Blackana, interpreting that movement 
better than I, continued in dread restraint. 

I looked again upon the Broad'jHighway, and 
saw how Mr. World had so completely won the 
confidence of Miss Church-Member that she now 
frequently expressed her sense of obligation to 
him, and declared that he was not so mean a fel- 
low as some alleged, and as she had been inclined 
to believe. 

“Pray, tell me who seeks to injure my good 
reputation ?” he courteously asked. 

“It has long been current talk on the King’s 
Highway that you are deceitful and treacherous, 
and that you aim to lead people to ruin. You well 
know that I hoped, by mutual association, to win 
you to a better path. I find, even after some pain- 

(J 


40 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ful errors on my part, that you are not so much 
in need of reformation as I imagined. You are a 
very considerate and clever fellow, doubtless un- 
der the sway of a moral evolution, and whether I 
stay with you, or you go with me, it is now, to my 
mind, quite evident that you will soon reach a 
perfect condition/’ 

The wily Mr. World chuckled. “You are 
newly endowed with the gift of a wisdom whose 
inward glory has lent its brightness to your eye, 
and has given savor to your very words, if you 
continue in your present state of liberality and 
broad-mindedness, you will not only share all that 
I possess, but will wear a crown set with gems of 
truth ” 


CHAPTER III. 


The Devil’s Optical College. 

3. The college described. 

2. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member have their 
eyes examined, and Miss Church-Member is supplied with 
lenses which warp her spiritual vision. 

3. The allegory shows how Satan supplies every 
conceivable kind of lenses to suit the people of the world 
and the church. 

4. Biaekafla, with deceptive words, attempts to defend 
Satan’s course. 

HIS institution of Satan has been in opera- 



tion since the creation of man, having 


been remodeled as often as advancement 
in style or skill demanded. 

Each one of the fourteen massive buildings 
was a gem of architectural beauty, and was de- 
voted to a special line of study or practice. The 
entire group worked harmoniously toward the 
same end. 

In the course of their journey Mr. World and 
Miss Church-Member drew nigh to this great 
college, but the shrewd and wicked Mr. World 
remained silent, waiting for the first words of his 
companion. 

Miss Church-Member, however, as she look- 
ed upon the stupendous edifices, was so filled 


42 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

"with wonder and admiration at the bold stretches 
of masonry, md the perfect symmetry of parts, 
that she too offered no comment until they were 
quite near the first building. 

“For what purpose is this group of great 
structures used?” were her words that broke the 
brief silence. 

“All for the sake of the eyes,” he carelessly 
answered, as he called her attention to the King s 
Highway and the throngs of people that were 
admiring and entering the college from those 
parts. 

“It is indeed wonderful,” she commented, 
1 “that so small a thing as the eye should demand 
the service of such great edifices.” 

“The buildings are not too large nor too well 
equipped. Your surprise would not be so great 
were you to witness the large number from the 
two great highways that come here daily for 
treatment. You can see them now moving by 
thousands to and from the buildings. It might 
be wise for us to enter for consultation. My 
eyes, at least, may need some expert attention.” 

She, being anxious to see the interior of at 
least one of the buildings, offered no objection to 
his shrewd suggestion. 

The building was so easy of access that there 
was not one step to climb. An electric elevator 
served to carry . them to the sixty-fourth floor 
which formed a part of the huge dome into which 
the upper portion of the great structure converge 


THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE. 43 

ed. This style of architecture not only added to 
the beauty of the appearance, but also proved 
to be perfectly adapted to the uses of the col- 
lege. 

The confidence of Miss Church Member was 
fully won by the appearance of the interior and 
the courteous attention she received from the 
managers. 

The consulting physician examined the eyes 
of Mr. World, then congratulated him upon the 
clear vision he enjoyed, and informed him that 
his eyes required no immediate treatment. 

Turning to one side, Mr. World whispered to 
his companion: “While we are here you had bet- 
ter improve this opportunity and also get the 
benefit of an expert opinion. ” 

“I have not come prepared financially,” she 
blushingly and faintly replied, “I did not even 
dream of seeking the service of a specialist.” 

“That obstacle is easily overcome, for the ex- 
amination is free, and if you should need further 
attention and would wish to receive it, 1 would 
deem it only a great pleasure to bear all the ex- 
penses.” 

After a brief, thoughtful silence she consent- 
ed to the preliminary examination. 

“Will you examine the eyes of my friend?” 
requested Mr. World as he stepped toward the 
chief oculist. 

The expert accordingly tested her sight. 
First he held up, at a distance, the “Delusion of 


44 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

the New Jerusalem,” 'but she was totally blind 
to it. Then he submitted the “Deceptions of the 
Holy Bible” of which she could see nothing. 

“Look through these windows to the Broad 
Highway, far out in the distance over rolling 
stretches of country. Can you see the gates of 
Heaven, at the end of the way?” 

Miss Church-Member looked carefully, but 
declared that she could not see anything that ap- 
peared like Heaven or the gates therof. 

“Can you see that place called ‘Perfct Peace’ 
along the Broad Highway,” continued the oculist 
as he pointed to a far-off region. 

“lean see nothing that looks like it,” she 
honetly confessed, quite surprised to discover 
the existence of these apparent defects of her 
vision. 

“A very sad and extreme case,” murmured 
the examiner as he requested her to open her 
Bible. 

‘ ‘Can you see, in that book, that all people 
shall be saved, and none perish?” 

“I am surely blind to that and always have 
been,” she readily admitted with a little more 
boldness. 

“Perhaps you can see the justice of God in 
punishing the sinner?” he continued with a touch 
of sarcasm in his voice. 

“Plainly visible.” 

“Sol expected.” 

He then proceeded to a more minute examin- 


THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE. 


45 


ation, after which he wrote a brief diagnosis and 
commended her to a specialist in the next build- 
ing. 

She hesitated somewhat; but Mr. World 
handing her, confidentially, a handsome sum of 
yellow coin from h'is bag of gold, brought words 
of deep thankfulness from her lips, and gave 
decision to her steps in the direction he desired. 

Prom the great dome they were taken in a 
closed car over the high suspension bridge to 
the adjoining building which was of still greater 
magnitude. 

The room into which they entered, at such a 
dizzy height, surpassed, in its unique arrange- 
ment, anything of the kind that they had thus 
far seen. In long and high glass cases lay all the 
modern appliances used by the most skilled 
hands. The furnishings blended harmoniously 
with the general environments. All this won the 
utter confidence of the new and unsuspecting 
visitor. 

“With pleasure,” politely began Mr. World, 
“I present my friend, Miss Church-Member, who 
comes hither with defective eyes and a duly sub- 
scribed diagnosis from the chief of the oculists.” 

The specialist whom he thus addressed 
made an additional examination, plying his craft 
with all the ingenuity he had learned from his 
master. At the conclusion he delivered himseK 
in this wise: 

“I find, Miss Church- Member, that your eyes 


46 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


are very much out of order, A complex case, 
indeed. I have discovered ametropia in the 
particular form of irregular astigmatism. The 
pupil is covered by the unabsorbed remains of 
the pupillary membrane, and is occluded by a 
deposition of inflammatory substance, occasioned 
by inflam mat ion of the ciliary body. 

“I have also noticed a severe type of hemia- 
nopsia, which, I presume, had its origin in con- 
genture. Minor defects are also apparent, 
but it is unnecessary for me to give further de- 
tails.” 

Miss Church-Member could not refrain from 
weeping bitterly at this sad announcement. “Is 
it possible to effect a cure?” she sobbed. 

“Ah! you need not thus lament,” said the 
specialist in a tone of sympathy. “Millions have 
been altogether cured whose eyes were more dis- 
eased than are yours. Forget your tears and be 
at perfect peace. Calmly confide in our skill.” 

She consented to their method, and was first 
subjected to a course of preliminary treatment. 
Many an hour she lay while her eyes were cov- 
ered with cloths saturated with strange liquids. 
And when her eyes were uncovered she was 
compelled to sit in darkness, for the physician 
told her that her eyes had already suffered much 
on account of light. At times the pain was well 
nigh intolerable, but she endured it all heroic- 
ally, hoping to gain thereby the ^oon of a complete 
cure. 


THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE. 


47 


After this preparatory work one who was 
skilled in the best methods of the age performed 
the operation, and Miss Chnrch-Member was 
comforted by the assurance that her eyes would 
be fitted with special lenses, and soon she could 
again behold the natural light of day. 

Mr. World was busily engaged during the 
treatment of Miss Church-Member, bat he came 
repeatedly to her side and spoke words of cheer, 
and urged her strict obedience to all directions. 

Finally her new lenses were put to service, 
and Mr. World proffered his compliments pro- 
fusely until the first impulses of vanity moved 
within her. To be admired , on account of her ap- 
pearance , seemed never so attractive as now! 

What a new world opened to tier view ! She 
looked down upon the Broad Highway with a 
degree of pleasure hitherto unsuspected, and 
also upon the King’s Highway, but only to see 
that the path was indeed a rough one, and beset 
with trials and difficulties which, to her mind, 
now seemed unnecessary to a Christian life. 

In the same manner I looked into all the 
apartments of each building, and was astonished 
at the presence of so large a number from the 
King’s Highway, and a still greater throng from 
the way of the world. 

“0, Biackana!” I cried, “how long will this 
continue ? Is there no end to deception ? With 
such a changed view of things, how can Miss 
Church-Member crave for the King’s Highway 


48 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


or urge Mr. World thither?’ ’ 

“Miss Church-Member will be happier where 
she is,” answered my uncanny companion as he 
grinned horribly. “By the aid of her glasses she 
can both see and enjoy the wonderful scenes along 
the way.” 

I knew that Blackana was covering the truth, * 
but hesitated to insinuate as much. “Can you 
explain,” I questioned in a half hopeful mood, 
“how those specialists can do their deceptive 
work so brazenly? Poor Miss Church-Member, 
deluded and defrauded, now stumbles rapidly 
onward with the fiendish Mr. World. Tell me, 
O agent of the Devil, do those creatures find de- 
light in such horrible deeds?” 

“It is not a matter of pleasure or delight 
with them, but rather one of loyalty to their 
king, whom you call ‘Devil. ’ To serve him poorly 
means a bitterer hell, but to serve him well brings 
honor from his hand. ” 

“But such honor!” I exclaimed, and then said: 
“I observe that Miss Church-Member wears 
colored lenses— tell me the meaning of this; and 
you, Blackana, hereafter deal no more in false- 
hood with me !” I demanded. 

Blackana shifted his position, and with mark- 
ed reluctance proceeded to answer: 

“The Devil, my master, uses in his work all 
imaginable kinds of glasses, invented in the 
Wizard City. Every conceivable shade of color 
is made, each for its particular use. Through 


THE DEVIL’S OPTICAL COLLEGE. 


49 


his agents Satan selects the lens for the patient’s 
eye, and if it is worn as selected and directed, he 
has won a decisive victory.” 

‘‘Foul and fiendish plots of Hell,” I involun- 
tarily muttered; but Blackana listened in silence. 


CHAPTER IV. 


Satan Interpreting Scripture. 

1. Mr- World and Miss Church-Member now take an 
easier method of traveling, for they ride on a strange 
vehicle down the gravity road. 

2. Miss Church-Member reads her Bible by the aid 
of her new glasses. 

3. She is essisted in understanding it by a minion of 
Satan who comes robed as an angel of light. 

4. Her glasses enable her to distinguish between the 
inspired and the uninspired parts of the Bible for which 
ability she is highly complimented. 

HE Broad Highway, after leaving the Opti- 



cal College, was especially hard to travel. 


Here Mr. World secured a fashionable 
vehicle propelled by some secret force. Into 
this carriage he assisted Miss Church-Member, 
and each was delighted with the smooth descent 
down the gravity road. 

“This is delightful traveling,’’ she said, as 
she reclined upon the luxurious cushions of the 
conveyance. Aided by her new glasses she en- 
joyed the scenery along the way more than ever. 

“I am glad you appreciate it,’’ he smilingly 
returned. “According to my notion, riding is in- 
deed preferable to walking. From these elevated 
carriages one can witness so much more of the 


SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 51 

world, and can also with more distinctness see the 
King’s Highway with its trudging pilgrims seem- 
ingly unconscious of this better mode of travel.” 

Miss Church-Member took a mere casual 
glance at the Old Path and her former associates, 
and seemed to feel thankful that she had risen 
from bigotry to a more charitable view of things. 

Her Bible, although closed altogether too 
long, had never been surrendered. But she had 
received strict orders not to read it until her 
eyes were fully adjusted to the new lenses. 

Now, however, she opened it, and was reading 
it umder the new light, lifting her eyes at close 
intervals so as to miss nothing of beauty or inter- 
est along this way of the world. 

Mr. World observed her careless manner, 
how she turned from chapter to chapter in 
brief succession, and fixed but little attention on 
any portion. 

“I would urge you,” he kindly advised, “that 
if you feel aught of headache or heartache through 
excessive reading, to close the book at once.” 

She made no reply, but to his surprise was 
now deeply engaged in the perusal of the seventh 
chapter of Matthew. 

“I have heard that some parts of that book 
are very interesting,” he said in his good natured 
way. “Will you not read aloud to me ?” 

With a return of the old passion for his con- 
version she gladly complied and read the whole 
chapter while they continued gliding smoothly 


52 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


along. 

An interesting discussion ensued, during the 
course of which there joined them one who was 
like unto an angel of light. 

After hearing his smooth sentences of general 
Bible-knowledge, Miss Church-Member exclaim- 
ed: “Who art thou, and how didst thou gain so 
great a knowledge of this book ?” 

“I am but a harmless creature of the air, go- 
ing whither I will. I have studied that book 
through all the changes of time, and understand 
every part of it. I would, even now, make any 
sentence as clear as light to thee.” 

“And thinkest thou that this part is true ?” 
hopefully asked Miss Church-Member as she 
raised the open Bible and pointed to the chapter 
she had just read. 

“Every sentence is true, but in reading it 
their is grave danger of misapprehension. Didst 
thou have difficulty with any particular part of 
the chapter ?” 

“With verses thirteen and fourteen,” she re- 
plied, alter which he read them in a fine resonant 
voice: 

“ ‘Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the 
gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to de- 
struction, and many there be which go in thereat: 
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, 
which leadeth unto life, and few there be that 
find it.’” 

“If these words are true,” quickly comment- 


SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 


53 


ed Miss Church-Member, “we must be traveling 
in the wrong way. Does it not appear so V” she 
queried, as she looked with increasing interest at 
the angelic being. 

“Naturally it does,” he shrewdly answered, 
“especially if you look merely at the surface of 
the text; but the pearls of truth lie deeper.” 

“I well know that the King’s Highway is 
called the ‘Narrow Way’ and this, whereon we 
journey, the ‘Broad Way.’ Surely this part of 
Scripture is against us," insisted Miss Church- 
Member, as her countenance grew more troubled, 

“Thou needs t not stumble at such easy 
Scripture; behold, the meaning is, quite clear ! 
They who travel on the so-called King’s High- 
way are continually exaggerating the merits of 
the way, thereby making it appear greater and 
broader than it really is. They go so far as to 
claim that the way is broad enough to accommo- 
date all the people of the world, were they minded 
to travel theron. Therefore those who thus 
make the way broad by their own conceits will 
meet with destruction. This is the meaning of 
verse thirteen. ” 

“It is certain, according to verse fourteen, 
that we have a straight gate, and none, on this road, 
imagine or claim that the way is broader than it 
is; so we are credited with having it called ‘nar- 
row, ’ for it is as narrow as we claim it to be. ” 

“Notwithstanding your explanation and the 
relief these glasses have given me, my conscience 


54 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

is still troubled, and me thinks I hear a voice 
from this Bible chiding me. This is the chief 
barrier to my real happiness,” she boldly con- 
fessed. 

‘‘Thou shouldst not dwell in fear,” spoke the 
shining adviser. ‘‘Do not allow the errors of any 
false teaching to mar the peace and happiness of 
this way. Bid farewell to all thy inward doubt- 
ing, and taste the imperishable sweetness of the 
world, turning a deaf ear to the voice that chides 
thee unkindly.” 

“But the voice comes from my Bible,” she 
tremblingly declared. 

“Truly said, Miss Church Member; it comes 
far enough from thy Bible. Why not listen to the 
voice that is the Bible. Thou art in harmony 
with every part of Scripture. Let not false 
voices drive thee on to deeper grief.” 

She then looked at the shining form with 
more curiosity than before. 

“Who can this be ?” she asked Mr. World in 
a passing whisper. “You have seen how he urges 
me to a perfect peace, and so unselfishly.” 

“ ’Tis but a happy friend that comes in the 
hour of need. Should we not give heed to his 
kindly voice? If the studying of that Bible gives 
you pain, adding to the weight that already wea- 
ries your heart, why not close the book and, con- 
tinuing on this way of ease, look more carefully on 
outward things again ?” 

“Think you, Mr. World, that I would lay down 


Miss Church-Member was reading the Bible to her companion when there appeared to them one who 

was like unto an angel of light. Ses page 52. 





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SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 57 

my Bible ? This is the book that mother loved. 
It has always been my Book of books. It con- 
tains the code of laws that control the whole spir- 
itual world, and it is the only lamp that leads to 
light and to the gates of Heaven. You need it as 
much as I. Why ask me to lay it down ?” 

“Nay, nay, ” spoke the angel of light, “urge 
her not to discard hi r Bible , but rather to get a true 
understanding oj it. Perhaps, ” he continued, turn- 
ing again to Miss Church-Member, “thou hast 
met with other mysterious verses in this chapter. 
If so I will gladly serve thee, for I love to give 
light to an honest heart. ” 

“I see nothing more now that gives me 
trouble. These glasses, which I got through the 
kindness of Mr. World, have helped me to under- 
stand your interpretation so that the rest of the 
chapter is quite clear to me.” 

“And how does the whole Bible appear since 
thy sight is so improved by those fortunate 
lenses ?” 

“It certainly appears vastly different,” she 
confessed. “It is so much more liberal in its 
teachings than I ever before imagined.” 

‘ 'Hast thou became so far advanced that thou 
canst, with thy more comprehensive view, distinguish 
between the inspired and the uninspired parts ?” ask- 
ed the shining one with an air of dignity. 

“Not clearly so, although I have recently 
doubted the genuineness of some parts which 
still hold their place in the book.” 

D 


68 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH* MEMBER. 


“Thou art coming to the true light,” he flat- 
teringly replied. “Blessed is the event that ever 
changed thine eyes to see so great a truth. Ok, 
that all the world might thus drink from the 
fountain of knowledge !” 

“When w T ill the time ever come that the 
Bible will be rid of its errors ?” impatiently broke 
in Mr. World. 

“In that happy day when the mists of super- 
stition shall vanish before the true light of 
personal liberty and free thinking,” came the 
answer from the bright-robed angel who was 
none else than a minion of the Devil in disguise. 

“How could such a glorious work best be ac- 
complished ?” asked Mr. World whose interest 
now was more intensely aroused. 

“Only by Christians, who ought to appoint a 
committee from their own number, persons like 
our friend Miss Church-Member. This com- 
mittee could decide, by a majority vote, what 
parts of the Bible to expunge. Then the church 
and the world would have a Bible reasonably free 
from errors. Our present Bible has so many 
objectionable parts which, of course, could not 
have been inspired, and'any person who has the 
courage to correct it will be doing the world an 
incalculable service.” 

“Amen and amen !” enthusiastically spoke 
Mr. World. “The Bible is certainly a great book, 
but it would be vastly improved if once rid of its 
interpolations and errors of translation. Any 


SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 5^ 

preacher who would use in his pulpit such an 
abridged Bible would have my profoundest re- 
spect, and I hereby pledge half my fortune to the 
first minister who will do himself the honor of 
taking such a step. ” 

“That will have its desired effect.” smilingly 
commented Miss Church-Member, “for there are' 
some gentlemen of the cloth who would quickly 
sacrifice any conviction for such a sum of money.” 

“And here,” added the angel of light, “I hold 
in my hand a crown of fame set with the gems of 
honor . I hereby engage to place a crown like 
this on the head of each minister who will, in 
preaching and teaching, abridge the Bible and 
ridicule its weaknesses. Of course he must not 
cast reflection upon the real Word of God. He 
must only denounce and destroy the errors that 
have crept into it.” 

With these words the bright messenger dis- 
appeared, and Miss Church-Member endeavored 
again to know more about his identity, but Mr, 
World did not altogether satisfy her curiosity. 

Then, as they sped onward in their well-de- 
vised vehicle down the gravity road to Hell, Miss 
Church- Member continued reading her Bible 
quietly. 

“How changed the teachings of this book ap- 
pear, ” she soliloquized . “I can now see how 
foolish I once was in taking so narrow a view of 
its truths.” 

I took a passing glance at the King’s High- 


$0 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


way, and saw a virtuous and holy woman on her 
knees in prayer, with a Bible opened before her. 

She read from the book and doubted not its 
words, but was pleading with God for a better 
7 understanding of them, until flash after flash of 
heavenly light filled her soul, making her face 
shine with more than human glory. 

To her the Devil, robed as an angel of light, 
made no appearance so long as I looked. 

Then 1 asked Blackana, and he told me that 
Satan feared that which was sharper than a two- 
> edged sword more than a large number of pro- 
fessing Christians not filled with the word of 
*God. 

“And what think you of Miss Church-Mem- 
ber ?” I continued. 

“She is a fine character,” spoke Blackana as 
he grinned horribly. 

Then I was moved with indignation, and I 
spoke with fire in my voice: “Give me no more 
deceptive words of Hell ! Tell the naked truth. 
What is the estimate that Satan places on one 
who acts like Miss Church-Member ?” 

Blackana moved not a feature at my changed 
attitude, but spoke calmly in the bounds of truth: 
“Satan estimates such a one as a valuable aid to 
his cause, for she is now working against Jesus 
Chr ist on her imaginary road to Heaven. Noth- 
ing is more helpful to Satan than when members 
of the church believe that parts of the Bible are 
el a true. It is indeed gratifying to us, ” continued 


SATAN INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE. 6 % 

Blackana with a fiendish smile, ‘‘to see the 
twentieth century of the so-called Christian era 
opening with the church wrangling over her Bible 
more desperately than ever, and some of the 
learned leaders, and those of lesser light, laying* 
the lash on him who believes that the regularly re- 
vised version of Scripture is of sufficient authori- 
ty and approved of God.” 

Then Blackana, in dread reluctant tones, and 
with his tongue still unfriendly to Christ’s cause, 
was continuing, when a voice from above gave: 
this startling and silencing testimony; 

“Such Scripture is on impregnable rock; and they r 
who by faith stand thereon , cannot be poisoned by the 
fiery darts which are hurled even by the latest in- 
vented guns from the Wizard City. All Hell secretly 
acknowledges the strength of this foundation , even 
though part of the Church on earth refuses to do as 
much” 


CHAPTER V. 


The Devil's Pawn Shop. 

1. Miss Church-Member with her new glasses looks 
upon her attire and, not being s-atis-fied with her pil- 
grim’s robe, she exchanges it for up-to-date apparel. 

2. The similar action of Mr. Deacon and Mr. Elder 
described. 


ISS Church-Member, having closed her 
) I L was engaged in a close scrut- 

iny of her attire. By the aid of her 
glasses she realized very keeniy that her gar- 
ments were out of harmony with her environ- 
ments. 


“Will you answer a frank question?” she 
modestly asked Mr. World. “Do you think my 
pilgrim’s robe becomes me as it should?” 

“A very delicate question. I should never 
have ventured a criticism without your invitation 
to do so. Sincerely, your whole attire is some- 
what antiquated. It is just as fauky as the Bi- 
ble. So I would advise you to wear apparel 
more suited to your natural charms.” 

“But where can such be found?” she blush- 
in gly asked, offering no comment upon Mr. 
World’s aspersion upon the Holy Scriptures. 

‘ ‘At numberless places along the way. In 
the distance I see an exchange store, duly 


THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


63 


authorized to do business along this Highway. If 
you so desire, we will proceed thither.” 

She assented gratefully, and soon the vehicle 
stopped. The two alighted and stepped into the 
place known along the King’s Highway as the 
Devil’s Pawn Shop. 

This establishment was easily accessible 
from either Highway, and had been in operation 
for thousands of years, carrying on an extensive 
business. 

In such a place our parents pawned a glorious 
inheritance for a taste of forbidden fruit, and 
Esau exchanged a legitimate birth-right fora 
mere mess of pottage. 

In another similar place Judas sold his Lord 
and Master for thirty dir tv pieces of silver; and 
Ananias and Sapphira pawned their natural and 
spiritual lives for a little worldly profit which 
was held but for a few hours, and that in guilt 
and pain. 

Satan has a Pawn Shop or an exchange store 
for every phase of desire that can enter into an 
unsatisfied heart, or a soul unduly ambitious. 
This one, into which Mr. World escorted Miss 
Church-Member, is intended for those who be- 
come dissatisfied with the dress of righteousness, 
or for any who wish a change in any part of their 
apparel. 

It proved intensely interesting to Miss 
Church Member, with her new found ambitions, 
to walk through the aisles of this great depart- 


64 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ment store, each department being used for a 
separate kind of apparel. 

I The entire Pawn Shop was full of old curiosi- 
ties which had never been redeemed. These, 
and more recent specimens, told the story of 
many a faithless pilgrim. In the footwear de- 
partment I saw many a “preparation of the gos- 
pel of peace” which had been pawned for shoes 
of worldliness, and elsewhere I saw the garments 
of truth which had been girt about the loins of 
the saints, and which had been exchanged for 
robes of vanity. 'J 

There were also many antiquated pilgrims' 
robes which had been given for more fashionable 
attire. 

Miss Church-Member became more and more 
ashamed of her own robe as she saw how many 
already had effected the exchange which she was 
now contemplating. 

One of the shrewd attendants, observing the 
impatience of Miss Church Member and the 
significant look of Mr. World, approached her 
and offered to render such assistance as she might 
desire. 

“I am feeling wretchedly out of place and 
out of style in my present condition. Can I not 
be dressed in a way more consistent with my 
station?” 

“We can readily and easily supply all your 
fancies, ” answered the attendant with a grace- 
ful bow and a smile which gave re assurance to 










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THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


67 


Miss Church-Member. 

The sad transformation was effected in a 
manner well pleasing to the Prince of Darkness. 
Her beautiful pilgrim’s robe was drawn through 
the dust and relegated to the rear. 

My own heart saddened as I beheld the 
changed appearance of Miss Church-Member, 
who had just taken one more step in her down- 
ward course, and who was still vainly imagining 
that she was on the road to Heaven. 

I saw, with disgust, her fantastically feath- 
ered hat of conceit, her broad sleeves of self- 
righteousness, her ruby bracelets and necklace 
of vanity, the flowing garments of personal liber- 
ty, and her shoes of fashionable infidelity. 

Then they made a strong effort to induce her 
to pawn her Bible, but to no purpose, for she had 
clung to it so long that it had become a precious 
souvenir with which she declared she would 
never part; though, in sooth, I feared that this, 
too, would finally be dispensed with. 

Finally they emerged from the Pawn Shop, 
and glided along in their mysterious carriage 
more rapidly and smoothly than ever. 

The two happy companions, free from their 
former embarrassment, now enjoyed the scenes 
of life along the way with increasing pleasure. 
The moving masses, in their diversified employ- 
ments, yielded constant entertainment. 

Miss Church- Member was soon agreeably 
surprised to see Mr. Deacon and Mr. Elder, who 


68 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


served in the same church to which she belonged. 
The carriage overtook them in a rather isolated 
place pnd stopped at their side, in obedience to 
the will of Miss Church-Member. 

“Can it possibly be that I meet two of my 
church officers at this unexpected time and place? 
How came it about that you also have chosen 
this ‘Broader and Better Way’ to Heaven?’’ 

The two men were slightly abashed at first 
and stood speechless as if in doubt what to say, 
or as if they were unable to recognize her. 

“Ho! ho!’’ cried Mr. Deacon, “here is Miss 
Church-Member who sits in one of our front 
pews.” 

“Her appearance is wonderfully improved 
however,” added Mr. Elder in an undertone. 

“How came you to adopt this dress and be in 
such close fellowship with Mr. World?” asked 
Mr. Deacon. 

“I am now in the midst of my missionary 
work, endeavoring to lead Mr. World into church- 
membership,” were her glib words of explana- 
tion, though, somehow, they were unsatisfying 
to her ear; but she was rapidly learning to stifle 
such unpleasant qualms of conscience. 

“She is doing a grand work,” said Mr. Dea- 
con to Mr. Elder with gestures of approbation. 

“Are you any better than you were since 
such an elevating influence has been thrown about 
you?” asked Mr. Elder, as he turned to Mr. 
World. 


THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


69 


“Happy for ma that Miss Church-Member 
ever undertook my case, for I am now nearer 
joining the church than ever before.” 

The two church-officials offered their hands 
to Mr. World in warm congratulation, and then 
praised Miss Church-Member for her timely 
efforts which they felt sure would terminate in 
his conversion. 

‘What more is required of me in order that 
I may join your church?” inquired Mr. World in 
a voice of deepening earnestness. 

“Nothing more than to express your willing- 
ness,” responded the two. Your morality is be- 
yond suspicion, and your fulfillment of the du- 
ties of citizenship has always been praiseworthy; 
therefore your religion is quite exemplary. It 
lacks but your admission into the church.” 

“I would have joined before now had it 
not been for a radical element potent in the coun- 
cils of the church, and especially for the narrow 
views entertained by your minister If you had 
another pastor, one of more liberal cast of mind, 
it would not only influence me to join, but many of 
my wealthy and honorable friends would do so 
as well.” 

“It certainly is a sad state of affairs,” sighed 
Miss Church- Member. “We are losing heavily 
by reason of such narrowness. I thought differ- 
ently at one time, but these glasses have given 
me a wider and clearer range of vision.” 

“Your words indicate a sound judgment,” 


70 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

commented Mr. World, and the two church offi- 
cials listened eagerly. “Why should the church 
compel a man to journey on a path so narrow that 
he can scarcely make any progress?” 

“A sensible view of it,” said Mr. Elder, “for 
I have learned by experience that it is impossible 
to travel far in the way you mention. I tried it 
until recently, when I gave it up in disgust. I 
patronized an old established exchange store, dis- 
posed of a part of my outfit, and got in exchange 
something up to date, as you see from my ap- 
pearance. I then endeavored to walk on the old 
path, but soon came to an especially narrow 
place called Consecration. I could not squeeze 
through. I struggled hard and long until one 
came to me and said: ‘Let go what thou hast 
under thine arms and belted to thine heart, and 
thou shalt go through with ease and rejoicing.’ 
That was asking too much of me, for I paid a 
high price for these things and was minded to 
hold to them at all cost. I then endeavored more 
earnestly to push ahead, but found that I could 
not. As I looked around me, in despair, I saw a 
path leading to the left. A sign-board hung over 
it, bearing this inscription: 

A SHORTER AND BROADER 
WAY TO HEAVEN. 

This path 1 took and have been traveling 
comfortably thereon, especially since I found 
this still Broader Way into which it led. If only 


THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


71 


all church- members would know the comforts 
and advantages of this way, they could no longer 
refuse to travel it.” 

“They are finding it out more and more 
every age,” said Mr. World with a complacent 
smile. “The church and the world ought to be 
one and, according to the teaching of the Bible, 
how could this be better accomplished than by 
having the church come-down to the level of the 
world, and from that point lift the world upward. 
That was Christ’s method and example. The 
church of to-day should not wish to be greater 
than her Lord.” 

The two church-officials looked at each other 
in surprise. 

“That is indeed bi’oad-minded theology,” first 
spoke Mr. Deacon, 

“It is indeed refreshing in contrast with 
what we must hear repeatedly from the trouble- 
some element in the church,” added the other. 

“Will you not tell us how you also came to 
reach this favored place ?” inquired Miss Church- 
Member, as she gave her attention momentarily 
to Mr. Deacon. 

“It all came about in a very odd manner. I 
had been wearing an old-style robe of righteous* 
ness, and gradually came to see that it was total ly 
out of harmony with the higher thought of the 
age; so much so that I became odious to many 
liber al-minded people. A sharp struggle ensued 
between my conscience and my judgment. In the 


72 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH- MEMBER. 


midst of this conflict I came to a place which ©f - 
fered to accept my old garments in exchange for 
seasonable attire, ‘Anything for peace,’ thought 
I; so I entered the establishment, and selected 
this apparel and these additional advantages. It 
cost me nothing but the mere willingness to 
exchange, and would I not have been foolish to 
refuse so much at so small a price ?” 

“Without a doubt,” quickly answered Miss 
Church-Member. The others forcibly confirmed 
her answer. 

“After I had compieted my bargain I con- 
tinued my diligence in the work of the church 
and in traveling on the good old Narrow Way. I 
came to a place called God Praise, and got 
through with little difficulty ; but voices from 
unseen creatures spoke terror to my soul. In 
this unhappiness I trudged along until I came to 
a narrow pass known as Sacrifice. Through it 
I could not go. I struggled again and again. 1 
also heard a voice saying untome: ‘If thou wilt 
wear the garments of salvation, and cast off these 
things of earth, then thou mayest pass through 
all thy sacrifice with ease and sweet delight. ’ ” 

“The voice troubled me much, for I feared it 
spoke the truth. There did I spend a long season 
in mortal dread and doubt, and thought I would 
rather die than suffer thus. Suddenly, as if 
blind to it before, I saw a sign apparently mov- 
ing in circles about me. It settled to my left and 
thus it read: 


THE DEVIL’S PAWN SHOP. 


73 


TO HEAVEN WITHOUT SACRIFICE. 

“At once a smooth path opened to view, and 
I chided myself for having been blind to it so long. 
I entered upon it and hastily pursued my jour- 
ney, and soon from thence passed upon this 
Broad Gauge Road. I had traveled thereon for 
a long time when, to my delight, I came across 
Mr. Elder. I assure you we have had companion - 
able seasons. We are on our road to Heaven and 
expect eventually to reach that place. Many 
persons of the Narrow Gauge Road have told us 
that we were wrong, deceived, and would be 
hopelessly lost if we did not change our course, 
but methinks that those people are disregarding 
the Bible where it saith, ‘Judge not lhat ye be 
not judged’; and ‘Thou hypocrite, firs.t cast out 
the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt 
thou see clearly.’ ” 

“Ah! Mr. Deacon,” quickly complimented 
Mr. World,” you must be a champion in the use 
of Bible truth. How can these bigots expect to 
stand when such Scripture condemns them ? It 
will be a joyful time for ail of us when these self- 
righteous critics shall have pulled the beams out 
of their eyes and be able to see us in our real 
innocence.” 

While Mr. World was speaking these words 
he assisted Miss Church-Member into their 
strange vehicle and, when his last sentence was 
ended, they bade a hearty farewell to the two 


74 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


acquaintances, and smoothly glided on, not 
tarrying to hear the words of commendation 
which each church-official was speaking simultan- 
eously. 



Mr. Elder, unable to push through the narrow pass of Consecration, was 
compelled to take the “Shorter and Broader way to Heaven.” 

See page 70. 






























































CHAPTER VI. 


Satan’s Law Departments. 


( Underground. ) 


1 An allegorical representation of Satan’s Junder- 
handed methods in law and politics. All seen during a 
thrilling journey with Blackana through the underground 
regions ( level below level) where the laws of Hell are 
hatched. 

2 A realistic climax, — ultimate triumph of right in 
the civil realm. 

NOW saw two mountains so high that their 



shadows perpetually darkened the Broad 


Highway which covered the wide valley 
between them. 

In this Shadowy Vale many held permanent 
residence, until the whole region swarmed with 
teeming millions who came from every tongue 
and tribe on the face of the globe. 

At the base of the mountains, on each side of 
the way, were numerous large openings through 
which imps of darkness were constantly passing, 
most of whom were habited as angels of light. 

“Tell me the mystery of those dismal open- 
ings,” I asked as I turned to Blackana. 

“Words are inadequate to tell of the places to 
which they lead. To know aright one must see,” 
he answered with marked indifference. 

For a moment I silently looked upon Black- 

E 


78 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ana whose evasive answer had so greatly aroused 
my curiosity. 

“Beyond those omioous portals I can discern 
nothing,” I murmured. “How can I be privileged 
to see what is there hidden ?” 

“Come with me,” coldly invited Blackana, “I 
will guide you to the nethermost realms now un- 
seen by you. This I do not willingly, but I am 
thus commanded.” 

Not wishing to receive my command from 
the mouth of a demon, I talked to my better 
Friend who bade me go and be assured that a 
body-gua d of ten thousand would ever be at my side, 
though 1 saw them not 

On wings, swifter than the wind, Blackana 
and I covered the intervening space. We stood 
in the dark valley at one of the openings, now ap- 
pearing ten fold larger than before, and the 
mountains reared their imposing crests as if to 
an endless height. 

“Follow me, ” grimly spoke Blackana as he 
advanced through the monstrous arcade into the 
deepening darkness. 

I remembered the ten thousand, and feared 
not as I followed. 

Downward and inward we went, with no light 
but a horrid glare casting its uncertain rays a- 
thwart our path. 

“Is this the passage-way to Destruction ?” I 
cried, as I saw how spectral all things were, foi 
more than a thousand grimy faces had already 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. • 


79 


added their fitful glances to the glimmering scene. 

“The passage-way to Hell is not so smooth; 
we go to a better place,” he answered, without so 
much as turning his head. 

We finally stopped at a line of massive eleva- 
tors, ever in busy motion, carrying the throngs 
upward or downward. 

As we paused, Blackana regarded me silent- 
ly. I was then able, for the first time, to see his 
face clearly. No light reveals the countenance of 
a demon so well as the light of his own region. 

I stood as if paralyzed under his awful eyes. 
Oh ! thought I, can two orbs picture such infinite 
depth of remorse; such absence of tenderness; 
such barrenness of sympathy, far beyond the 
most care worn look of ■earth ? Then, pervading 
all these lineaments of despair were the positive 
characteristics of his nature — malice, envy, and 
hatred. These lent their repulsive fires to his 
eye, already overcharged with insidious gleam- 
ings. 

I suddenly thought of my ten thousand, and 
my fears subsided. 

“It were better for you to remain a stranger 
to the greater depth and go no farther,” were 
the words that finally came from Blackana’s 
scarcely moving lips. 

“Fulfill your mission, Blackana. I fear not 
the deepest depth w T hen I am thus equipped.” 

“Where is your sword and where is your 
armor ?” he tauntingly asked. 




SO MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

*‘My steel is hid until I find a foe worthy of 
its mettle.” 

Blackana quivered and resumed his task. He 
told me that above us, deep in the bowels of these 
mountains, were the more refined legislative 
halls of Satan; while below us, at varying and terri- 
ble depths, lay scattered many a brooding sta- 
tion where the lowest laws of Hell are hatched. 

“Let us go downward,” I said, aad scarcely 
had the words escaped my lips ere Blackana had 
ushered me into an elevator, holding me as we 
dropped down and down with increasing velocity, 
-while a cold chill was freezing my heart, and my 
body playing the part of an aspen leaf. 

Never before had I been touched by so dread- 
ful a hand, but 1 thought again of the ten thou- 
sand, and that lent warmth to my heart and 
calmness to my nerves. 

“To what great depth are we falling ?” I soon 
ventured to ask, as I perceived that we were 
dashing downward at terrific speed. 

“We fall to no great depth; we go only a 
thousand furlongs to reach the first grand level, 
not stopping at these lesser places of which you 
get a glimpse in passing. ” 

“A thousand furlongs, ” I repeated, “down in- 
to the earth. . Who ever heard of such a descent 
before ?” But I still thought of my ten thousand, 
even though I could not conceive how they could 
follow me in such places. 

“At what rate do we now travel ?” I nervous- 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


81 


ly asked, for I felt the hand of Blackana still 
pressing me down lest the great elevator would 
fall faster than my body. 

“According to earthly reckoning we fall 
twenty furlongs a second, with our speed still in- 
creasing with the descent,” was the startling 
answer. 

I spoke no more, but found myself clutching 
the raised bars of the floor. I saw the glimmer- 
ing light of many a region as we darted by at our 
lightning speed. 

In an incredibly short time we reached the 
first grand level. Blackana led me forth from 
the elevator into an immense cavern whose di- 
mensions were apparently as limitless as the 
space between the earth and sky. It was illumi- 
nated by infernal lights and all astir with moving 
thousands in fabled dress and shape. 

Never before had I imagined or beheld such 
a scene. Pure gold was as plentiful as the water 
of the earth, and was abundantly used in the con- 
struction of vast halls whose overarching vaults 
were encrusted with priceless gems that dazzled 
like jets of crystallized ligh t. 

“What wierd world is this?” I asked in an 
awed tone. 

“This is one of my master’s legislative cen- 
ters, devoted to each separate government on 
earth. The busy legislators of this whole region 
are ever busily engaged in determining upon 
their policy and methods of operation, and in en- 


82 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

deavoring to influence the law-making body of 
each government to create and modify laws in 
harmony with the underground legislation here 
enacted.” 

‘‘Ah!’ said I, “but this place is far from the 
surface where man dwells. How can there be 
such close connection ?” 

Blackana smiled as he made a wonderful 
revelation to me. “This strange empire is in close 
touch with the whole human family, for there are 
thousands of wires leading from this dark realm 
to each government centre of earth. Satan thus 
communicates his wishes to each law-maker, of 
every land, who will lend a listening ear to his 
schemes.” 

Blackana then conducted me to an immense 
building divided into many sections. “Here is 
the electric centre of this level,” he said. 

As I gazed I learned the secret of Satan’s 
power in law. Thousands were here engaged in 
conversing with legislators on earth. 

I could understand no word of all these com- 
munications, for the section where I stood was 
devoted to Asiatic countries, and the islands of 
the Pacific Ocean. 

“Take me, O Blackana, to the section con- 
necting with the Western world that I may see 

the very wires that run to the United States of 

America.” 

I soon stood in the interior of another large 
building, and with great interest listened to the 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


83 


operators communicating with some who were in 
authority at Washington, and with persons else- 
where who were interested in the formulation of 
laws for the whole country. 

‘•Does this never cease ?” I questioned. 

“It continues through the days and nights of 
earth forever,” came the re$ly. 

I was looking at the intricate system of wires 
and the stupendous proportions of the place, when 
suddenly I heard someone mention a name with 
which I was familiar. I was attracted close to 
the side of the operator that I might hear at least 
the one side of the conversation. 

“That bill should never become a law,” said 
the operator, but I could not hear the reply. 

“Fight hard to defeat it. You will get heaps 
of gold if you succeed,” were the next words I 
heard at the lower ’phone. 

“Never mind them. I’ll take care of that 
crowd. I will try once more to get their ear. I 
failed the last time, but I hope to succeed at my 
next endeavor.” These words were spoken very 
plainly, but still I could hear no reply. 

“Suppose the other element have chances to 
win. Get ready at once and meet the situation# 
Go and speak to the chairman of the committee 
and early influence his mind in our favor. Offer 
any bribe you wish, for we have unlimited re- 
sources at our command.” 

“If only I could hear the answer,” thought I. 

Then the operator listened a long time, and I 


84 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

almost envied his privilege, wishing that I might 
also hear the human voice from earth. 

Blackana conducted me to other parts of the 
building, and I saw the fiendish program carried 
out at each point. Thousands of demons are in 
league with the law-makers of the world! 

“Oh ! that I could cut these wires and restrict 
Satan’s laws to these underground dominions,” I 
said with rising boldness. 

“Silence, puny mortal! Know you not that 
others can hear you speak ? Would you here be 
crushed to death so far from the light of day ?” 

Superhuman strength moved me to answer 
thus: “Though all these hosts should hear me, I 
fear naught. I am invincible, and should you 
take me to the deepest depths, amidst foul crawl- 
ing imps, not one can harm me. Neither can you, 
Blackana.” 

“Come on,” he sneered, “cease your sense- 
less sentences and follow me.” 

I saw that Bladkana endeavored to conceal 
the counter-currents of his heart, but neverthe- 
less his agitation did not escape my notice. 

Back to the elevators we went, and with a 
throng of evil spirits we entered the central car 
and fell another thousand furlongs into the depth 
of the earth. 

We stopped at the second grand level into 
which I was ushered. I looked out over what 
seemed to be a new world with more light and 
more animation than was manifest on the first 






The armies of righteousness will some day triumph over the black hordes of civil iniquity. See page 93. 



SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENT^. 


87 


level. 

Boisterous demonstrations were heard on 
every hand, all made more hideous by the variety 
of evil spirits who added their din to the general 
bedlam. 

“What furious world is> this ?” I shouted. 

“This is Satan’s political headquarters, and 
the place where his state laws are made. We are 
here connected with every s^ate or divisional 
government in the world, and with every political 
movement that can be influenced by these under- 
ground voices.” 

My indignation leaped over all bounds as the 
vileness of these iniquitous schemes pressed up- 
on me. I heard the bands of music from those 
who had prostituted their talent to the second 
level. 

Blackana pushed me on through all the 
demonstrations, and then led me into a great 
structure more secluded than the electrical sta*. 
tions. Here the state laws are hatched, but, 
thanks to a higher sanctum, not all the brood see 
daylight. 

The plotters of Hell sat in this underground 
legislative centre, and I saw, to my horror, some 
state legislators occupying seats in this infamous 
quarter. 

Then said I to Blackana; “It is no more a 
mystery to me how so much of Hell is incorporat- 
ed into the laws of the states in the country 
where I hold residence, as well as in all other 


88 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


parts of the world. How long have these things 
been ?” 

“Since the beginning of law,” was his indif- 
ferent reply. 

“It will not be so forever,” I prophesied un- 
der a sudden spell of inspiration. “The time 
must come when the power of this level will be 
blasted forever. The owner of the tree will burn 
the worms and their nests from every branch.” 

Then Blackana tauntingly spoke: “Neither 
flood, poison, fire, nor knife can ever destroy this 
section.” Just as he spoke these words the 
whole edifice shook, and I heard a noise as if a 
shower of great stones had crashed into the roof 
and sides of the building. The legislators quak- 
ed with fear and all looked toward the ceiling. 
All of this instantly reminded me of the thousand 
lords who looked at the ominous hand-writing on 
the wall at the feast of Belshazzar. 

“Explain it to me,” I asked as I looked 
wonderingly at Blackana. 

“Urge it not, urge it not! Be content to 
dwell in ignorance!” 

“I am here to learn, and I would know what 
force or power can so well-nigh destroy this 
wretched center. Tell me the truth. I demand 
it!” 

Then did Blackana move himself in hie. start- 
ling attitudes, as if loath to speak. He rolled his 
heavy eyes as his discordant voice yielded the 
unwilling explanation. 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 89 

“These are the votes that just fell in favor of 
reform in a campaign on earth. Such votes, un- 
der the panoply of prayer, strike more terror to 
these kingdoms than all else combined, and the 
most disastrous feature is that they go bounding 
from the buildings of this level ever downward 
and work their ruin from kingdom to kingdom, 
until they have wrought their havoc even to the 
lowest level. If we only knew the way to break 
the power of these votes, our comrades would 
not then dwell in constant dread of what might 
happen. ” 

“May you never learn that power, and may 
the votes of good citizenship ever increase in 
number, until these legislative hails are forever 
broken, and their inmates driven from their 
secret machinations t^> the abode prepared for the 
Devil and his angels. ” 

Blackana sprang at me in great rage. 
“Silence, you contemptible mortal ! You have 
not such liberty of speech here ! Why fling 
insults into the face of one more powerful than 
yourself ?” 

il Ho, ye ten thousand /” I shouted with all 
my power, and Blackana fell backward at my 
very words. 

Sullen but cowed he arese] to his feet and 
took me to the elevators. 

“Where next ?” he gruffly asked. 

“What is on the next level below?” I in- 
quired. 


90 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


“Greater proceedings than on this one. It is 
devoted to the government of counties, cities, 
boroughs, and villages, and their political work.” 

“Pass it by and take me to the lowest level.” 

“You do not know what you ask. The lowest 
level is very, very deep, and takes us where 
things have no weight. It is the lowest haunt 
outside of Hell, inhabited by the wildest imps. 
How can you live or move in such a realm ?” 

“Not by the futile force of human power, but 
by the strength of him who bids me go. I fear 
not, O Blackana; conduct me thither.” 

What an awful experience followed ! I was 
taken down at an amazing speed, held under the 
great hand of Blackana. We passed region after 
region of infernal lights, each one existing for 
the purpose of carrying out its part of Satan’s 
fiendish plan. 

At length we stopped in the red glare of an 
awful burning amidst a company of hobgoblins 
out of harmony with all human shape or symme- 
try. 

“This must be the bed of Hell, indeed,” I 
said, after I had conquered my rising fears. 

“Far from it, far from it!” answered Black- 
ana. “We are now in the lowest legislative cen- 
ter, where foul fiends invent the horrible laws of 
personal pollution in the mortal body , and political 
bribery in the civil body. ” 

Blackana held me by the hand. I seemed not 
to walk but rather to move along without effort, 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


91 


seeing the pictures of lowest life and the ill- 
shaped spirits, some of monster size. 

Into an immense auditorium I was wafted, a 
building without foundations or floor. Here, 
amidst uncanny noises, hovered a vast throng of 
Satan’s lowest legislators. 

Such dreadful suggestions were given and 
such terrible debates followed, as beggar human 
description. Prom all parts of the great hall the 
busy wires were communicating with every sec- 
tion of the earth’s surface. 

Black ana, still holding me by the hand, spoke 
thus in a derisive strain: 

“O mortal, now comes my glorious revenge ! 
I have tasted your insults until their galling 
bitterness cringes me still. I have craved for 
this hour when I might leave you to the mercy of 
the lowest, and bring you under my feet for ever. ” 

Then, turning to the chairman of the great 
assemblage, Blackana attracted his attention, 
and at once the attention of all the spectral mon- 
sters of the place. 

“Here,” commenced he, “is a piece of mortal 
flesh, fresh from the surface. I have been forced, 
by some strange power, to conduct this mortal 
man through these nether levels until he has 
seen the workings of our underground plans and 
schemes. He must never see the light of day, 
lest the world above may know the true inward- 
ness and source of such laws as are called cursed, 
and rise in hosts against our surface operations.” 


92 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


At this Blackana thrust me forward, and I 
went straightway to the chairman who seized me 
by the back and held me aloft in his right hand, 
while a deafening roar of strident voices was 
measuring my doom. 

“Ho, ye ten thousand /” I cried aloud, at which 
the horrid chairman fell backward, and I dropped 
unharmed to his own chair as the whole host 
were rushing at me en masse. 

The chairman sprang to his feet and waved 
a wand. “Silence and order!’' he commanded. 

Thousands of brandishing weapons were 
brought to a stand and quietness reigned in a 
moment. 

“Why say you ‘ten thousand’ ? What power 
lives in those words?” asked the chairman with 
a show of boldness, but in secret quaking. 

“Power unlimited, even over death, hell, and 
the grave. My flesh is not food for such as 
these,” 

“Who can you be to talk thus to your 
superiors ?” 

“I am one who is sealed by the blood of 
Jesus, and have no superiors outside the gates of 
Heaven.” 

“Why came you here ?” he impatiently and 
furiously demanded. “Tell me while yet you 
have opportunity to speak.” 

Then, fully confiding in my unseen guard, I 
stood erect and said with boldness of speech: 
“I have come to learn the secrets of this under- 


SATAN’S LAW DEPARTMENTS. 


93 


ground legislation which is sending its blighting 
curse throughout the world. Having witnessed 
the wide extent of these secret operations, I will 
now return to the brotherhood of man and sound 
the alarm of a great reformation. O, beware ye 
multitudes that now rise against me! 1 am not 
alone, nor forsaken By faith I see armies of the 
living God. I declare, at this moment, that earth 
will not forever receive her laws from such a 
depth. The hour must come when these million 
wires will be broken beyond repair, and all you 
fiends go groveling under penal chains in dark- 
ness eternal. ” 

No more could I speak, for the air was 
thickening all around me with a rush of wild 
demons whose threatening weapons thirsted for 
my blood. 

, 1 stood motionless, glorying in the power of 
the Unseen, for I saw, shining far above me, a 
beautiful star of hope with peace and purity in 
its rays. 

In the same instant I again shouted, “Z7o, ye 
ten thousand !” Oh, what a transformation took 
place ! Regiment upon regiment of Heaven’s 
military hosts, converging as from infinite depth 
of space, burst into sudden view, revealed by a 
dazzling light which filled the whole region and 
dazed the infernal hosts as with blindness, while 
their weapons broke and fell beneath them in 
futile fragments. 


CHAPTER VII. 


The Hill of Remorse. 

1. ’ While climbing- a steep hill Miss Church-Member 
is touched by Remorse. 

2. Satan’s strategy in keeping her away from the 
Narrow Way. 

3. All her trouble is lost in company with Mr. 
World on the Mountain Top of Apathy. 

/7\ ETURNING to my former post of obser- 
vation, and looking again through the 
^ open door, I beheld Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member still riding on the gravity road. 
They were approaching the Shadowy Vale, and 
Mr. World was desirous that his friend should 
close her eyes until they had passed through the 
shadows. 

She reclined her head, and soon was resting 
so comfortably that she fell fast asleep and 
opened not her eyes until they had passed be- 
yond the darker scenes of the miserable valley. 

Then did Mr. World engage her with artful 
and pleasant conversation, so that she might not 
fully observe the features that constantly make 
this part of the Broad Highway dark and dreary. 

Satan, well pleased with their conversation, 
suddenly appeared, much to the terror of Miss 
Church-Member. 



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THE HILL OF REMORSE. 


97 


“Pear not; no barm will befall you,” said 
Mr. World re-assuringly as he laid his hand upon 
her shoulder. 

Satan smiled complaisantly, and spoke in 
soft tones: “Tremble not at my presence. I 
have come only to render you such assistance as 
may be especially helpful to you in your journey, 
and to disabuse your mind of such false impres- 
sions as you have evidently entertained concern- 
ing my character. ” 

So affable was his manner and so pleasing 
his address, that, to her mind, he soon lost that 
shocking hideousness which characterized his 
first appearance, and evoked from Miss Church- 
Member this apology born of her guilty con- 
science: “You- would not have seen me now on 
this path had Mr. World adhered strictly to his 
promises.” 

“Indeed, Miss Church-Member,” replied 
Satan, “you need have no regret for being here. 
You are to be congratulated upon the good judg- 
ment which led you into fellowship with Mr. 
World. Lt is.-, your happy fortune that be 
has succeeded in preventing you from leaving 
him. You are an exception to a host of cranks, 
who, without investigation, are prejudiced by 
what they hear. You are broad-minded, inde- 
pendent, and will be found wiser and happier 
than the army of fools you have left.” 

These -words brought*a mixture of pride and 
shame to her heart, and -threw her mind into a 

F - 


98 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


state of great confusion. 

But by this time they had come to a long and 
steep hill called Remorse up which all pilgrims 
walked. Mr. World assisted his companion in 
alighting, and promised to give her all possible 
help in her efforts to climb the hill. 

Satan remained with them, and Miss Church- 
Member, under deepening remorse of conscience, 
loitered a few steps in the rear. Her bowed 
head indicated the warring of her thoughts. 
Then I saw that she cast a longing glance over 
the rough hills toward the King’s Highway, 
and looked for some path by which she might go 
thither. 

Her two wily companions endeavored to 
allay her fears by offering all manner of cajole- 
ments, none of which either diverted or quieted 
her mind. 

“O, ye friends of mine !” cried Miss Church- 
Member, “I can find rest only on yonder King’s 
Highway. Can you show to me the shortest path 
leading thereto ? I cannot go to the summit of 
this hill.” 

“It so happens,” pleasantly replied the 
Devil, “that there is no way of reaching the so- 
called King’s Highway from this part of our 
route, but, if you will have patience, we will con- 
duct you safely* to a point a little farther on where 
you can conveniently leave this way with all 
honor to yourself.] 1 . In the meantime we will give 
you all the assistance that you may need, and 


THE HILL OF REMORSE. 


99 


every convenience that science can afford.” 

Miss Church-Member wept tears of grati- 
tude at this proffered kindness, and began to feel 
that, after all, Satan was a friend with a rough ex- 
terior but a warm and congenial heart. 

‘*It is quiie evident that you have been 
grossly misrepresented to me,” she faltered as 
her voice trembled with emotion. “I was told 
that you were the embodiment of envy, malice, 
and hatred, and vigorously opposed to everything 
religious.” 

Satan looked at her in well-counterfeited 
amazement! ••How unjustly I am judged by my 
enemies ! How can I be opposed to all religion 
when I attend church and prayer meeting regular- 
ly, and sedulously listen to the sermons and 
prayers while many sleep who claim to be better 
than I ? You will pardon me, Miss Church-Mem- 
ber, ” he continued, “but allow me to bear the 
light burden you are carrying under your arm, 
and let us hasten from this sickly atmosphere 
to the refreshing air beyond the summit of the 
hill.” 

“You are very kind, indeed, ” she said. “Please 
carry these books carefully, as I prize them very 
highly.” 

As they pushed their way up the hill, I 
looked at Blackana, who, with his eyes fixed upon 
me, sat as cold and motionless as a statue. 

“Tell me,” I asked, “why Satan has falsified, 
so greatly to Miss Church-Member.” 


L.ofC. 


100 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Blackana, with a show of uneasiness, answer- 
ed interrogatively: “Wherein has he falsified?” 

“Did he not just inform Miss Church-Mem- 
ber that there was no way of reaching the King’s 
Highway from the place where she had been 
standing? He well knew that there is a way 
opened by the Prince of the House of David. Why 
did he not tell her?” 

Blackana again grinned horribly while my 
indignation waxed stronger. Then came his 
pertinent reply: “My master is about his own 
business; that is why he is so successful in his 
work. It is not his business to point people away 
from his kingdom, but he delights rather to lead 
them upon his own Highway.” 

“Oh ! for the voice of a thousand trumpets, 
that I might reach the ear of Miss Church-Mem- 
ber, and break unto her the words of truth and 
life. Bee how she walks on between those two 
fiends, ever nearing an awful destruction, yet 
vainly imagining, through the deceitfulness of 
her advisers, that she is nearing the place where 
she can, with greater ease, leave her present 
course and join her comrades on the Shining 
Path. Oh, that I could send a messenger, good 
and swift, in her pursuit!” 

“Rest in ease, anxious mortal; she will get all 
necessary advice from her two friends,” replied 
Blackana with a sardonic grin. 

I could no longer look into his face, for I 
was filled with contempt. I turned my eyes to 


THE HILL OF REMORSE. 


101 


see poor Miss Church-Member still strugglingup 
the Hill of Remorse. 

When the top was finally reached I heard Mr. 
World congratulating her: “Well done, noble 
woman! You have fought Remorse until you 
have mastered it. The pains and pangs incident 
to this climbing are over, and if you should come 
to another hill you will ascend it with more ease. 
Look about you at these cool mountain resorts 
called Apathv, and join me in a needed recreation 
as we mingle with the merry multitudes amongst 
these shady bowers.” 

She needed no second invitation, being glad 
to seek relief in forgetfulness of her guilt. 

As they went to their pleasures, Satan van- 
ished to give attention to others who were ascend- 
ing the same Hill of Remorse, some in a sullen 
mood and some with Wails of anguish on their 
lips. 

The delightful resorts of Apathy were now 
quieting the mind of Miss Church-Member, for 
the attractions on the mountain top were so 
numerous and so ingeniously arranged, that as 
she gave full attention to them, she no longer suf- 
fered any pangs of remorse. 

On this plateau, so full of charms for every 
sense, I saw bands of music; gardens of shady 
retreat where one might while away the weary 
hours in gentle dalliance; and cooling fountains 
throwing forth their busy sprays. 

Artists were painting the scenes of worldly 


102 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ease, and poets were writing sweet verses for the 
singers of the place. 

Miss Church- Member, who was a lover of 
the fine arts, asked Mr. World to tarry in one of 
the gardens of the poets where they migbt hear 
the songs of the season just from the pens of 
their authors. 

This was a novel privilege; so he readily con- 
sented and accompanied her into a garden near 
by. They were greeted by sounds of instrumental 
music and charming voices raised in song. 

After these harmonies died away a soloist 
sang a hymn that had been composed that same 
day. Her voice rendered each word distinctly: 

Remorse is but the foe of all, 

The rich and poor, the slave and free. 

Unfriendly comes its bitter call — 

Perchance it comes this day to thee. 

Then come, thou troubled seeking peace 
From this unkind, intruding foe; 

Let anxious cares no more increase; 

Go bury all thy pangs of woe. 

Forget the things that wake thy mind 
To fleeting sorrows of the day; 

Oh ! come and be forever blind 
To all except this Broader Way. 

Then followed a fiendish woman, in guise of a 
light-crowned angel, who delivered an address 
entitled “The True Peace of the World.” While 
the applause which followed her remarks was 
dying away, an authoritative old gentleman arose. 
After standing a moment in dignified silence, he 


THE HILL OF REMORSE. 


103 


continued to carryout the program of the Devil 
by speaking on “False Lights from the So-called 
'King’s Highway.’ ” 

Next a quartette beautifully rendered a love 
song of the world; this also had been quite recent- 
ly composed. 

Sweet world, so bright and fair, 

We would thy pleasures share, 

While days pass on. 

Thou art our truest friend, 

On thee our souls depend, 

Till life is gone. 

In life’s perplexing days, 

Thou wilt, in every phase, 

Be ever near. 

While thy sweet, placid charms 
Dispel our dread alarms, 

In times of fear. 

Who else can give relief, 

When bowed in heavy grief? 

No one like thee. 

Thou sendest rays of light, 

Into our darkest night, 

Till shadows flee. 

The melody of this song and the sentiment of 
its words had a very decisive effect on Miss 
Church-Member. She looked into the eyes of 
Mr. World with more than poetry in her glance, 
for her heart was now thrilled with the first 
touches of true love for him. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

The Valley of Temptation. 

1. In this valley tie two great Highways run almost 
parallel. 

2. The intervening ground is all alive with Satan's 
schemes to entice, entrap and discourage Christians. 

3.. The operation of Christian forces in this valley. 

PTER leaving' the Hill of Remorse and the 
IC^l pleasure grounds of Apathy, Mr. World 
an d Miss Church-Member proceeded on 
the Broad Highway which now gradually sloped 
toward a deep valley. 

“What is the name of the valley which we are 
now entering ?” inquired Miss Church-Member. 

“ ’Tis but the Valley of Temptation,” he care- 
lessly answered. 

“Ah ! I have heard of this valley,” she replied. 
“Whenever I was tempted or tried on the King’s 
Highway, some one would caution: ‘Be cour- 
ageous, for you must yet go through the Valley 
of Temptation. ’ 1 am thankful, as I come to it r 
that I am on a Broader Way.” 

“Many call this valley Entanglement,”' 
further continued Mr. World, “because of the 
large numbers who are here caught by the de- 
vices all along the way.” 

I saw the whole valley in one view. It was 
wide, and more than a thousand experiences in 
length and, from one end to the other, there 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 105- 

were constant scenes of activity. The King’s 
Highway and the Broad Highway ran almost 
parallel throughout the whole length of the valley. 

The entire space between the two paths was 
occupied by the agents of Satan and by numerous 
rescue bands and missionary organizations of the 
King’s Highway Church. 

I was informed that no traveler, who knows 
the experiences of life, ever escaped this valley. 
But the King of Glory gives his children assur- 
ance of no harm, if they will heed his words and 
step not from the path upon any pretence. He 
has also placed, in plain view, countless signs of 
warning, to keep his pilgrims from yielding to 
temptation, as it presents itself, with or without 
mask; and they who pass these testing-places in. 
triumph are counted stable in their ways. 

I saw in the first part of the valley some of 
Satan’s shrewdest agents at work. They were 
stationed aloug the Narrow Path at close inter- 
vals, and were endeavoring, by all kinds of 
schemes, to attract the attention of Christians as 
they journeyed through the valley. 

Prom one point they threw a hook baited 1 
with Wealth over to the edge of the King’s High- 
way. I saw an ambitious Christian, contrary to 
the signs of warning and all ad vice, eagerly grasp- 
this bait. Then did the agents of Satan pull 
gently. The man seeing a clue to wealth in his 
hand, would not let it go, and so was drawn slowly 
and unconsciously over into the territory of the* 


>106 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

World. He did not see the strand that drew him, 
for it was invisible, nor was he conscious of be- 
ing thus drawn, having his mind so fixed upon 
the object of his earnest pursuit. 

Thus do these agents ply their nefarious 
skill without ceasing, and so have drawn large 
numbers away from their original faith. 

Other agents I saw near-by, throwing out a 
hook baited with Fame. An ambitious youth let 
go all he had and seized the baited hook with 
singular avidity. It inspired him with inward 
hope, and he became so engaged in thinking of 
his golden future that he followed whither the 
gentle drawing led him, until he also reached the 
questionable ground of the World. There he be- 
came still further entangled, until he was utter- 
ly under the sway of the tempter. 

Close by I saw an agent of the Devil fasten- 
ing a book to a line and throwing it to the edge of 
the King’s Highway. In bold letters it bore the 
title, “Forbidden Fruit,” and under this title there 
was an impure picture. 

Many, in passing by, who saw the book would 
have examined it had it not been for their 
modesty. 

But one man, w T hose curiosity was stronger 
than his judgment, took the book and commenced 
perusing it. While thus engaged the invisible 
strands of influence drew the captive from the 
Narrow Way until he found a series of books and 
illustrations to enchain his attention, and Satan 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 


107 


succeeded in totally winning his heart. 

I saw another book thrown to the edge of the 
Pilgrim’s Path. This was taken by a woman 
who opened its pages and saw its evil tendencies. 
Although drawn by the invisible chord she did 
not step from the path, but threw the book as 
far to one side as she could, and proceeded on her 
journey happily singing: 

“Yield not to temptation 
For yielding is sin. 

Each vict’ry will help you 
Some other to win.” 

This only enraged the wily foes, and they 
become more determined than ever to continue 
their work of deception and ruin. 

From one point or another I saw this dread- 
ful work progressing. Each station used a dif- 
ferent kind of bait, pleasing or attractive to some 
passing pilgrims. 

Here the enemy reaps a continual harvest 
notwithstanding all the preaching, advice, and in- 
fluence brought to bear upon pilgrims to induce 
them to eschew all attractions not plainly found 
upon their own pathway. 

Some, whom Satan could not attract by a bait, 
he would catch with snares, many of which I saw 
in operation, each guarded continually by trusted 
servants of the Evil One. 

One of the subtlest of these snares consisted 
of a series of small, curiously shaped buildings. 
They stand as near to the King’s Highway as Sa- 


108 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

tan could place them, while glaring signs inform- 
ed the pilgrims that they could here obtain 
knowledge upon any subject. Each building was 
so constructed that, at the will of a secret opera- 
tor, it could be moved noiselessly from its rest- 
ing place. 

Many an unsuspecting traveler who craved 
for a solution to some mystery would step into 
one of these neat rooms, and meet with a most 
cordial reception. 

I saw a man of more than usual intelligence, 
w r ho had been faithful to his master, stop and 
read the sign over these buildings: “Bureau of 
Information, All Mysteries Solved.” 

“Here,” thought he, “in this humble place I 
can perhaps find some pearls of thought which 
more inviting waters never yielded to me.” He 
stepped in, not noticing that he thereby stepped 
to one side of the way. 

“Can I here have a mystery solved ?” asked 
the visitor. 

“Without doubt, sir,” was the confident re- 
sponse of a dignified professor who was in attend- 
ance 

“Can you tell me the origin of sin ?” asked 
the visitor. 

Just then I saw the building commence to 
move as the professor commenced to explain the 
difficult question. 

The professor talked so interestingly to the 
visitor that he held his attention until the build- 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 


109 


in# was moved, by the secret process, to the 
brow of the mountain, and over to the great build- 
ing known as the “Devil’s Theological School. ” 

“Perchance, my words,” said the speaker, 
“are insufficient to fully satisfy your mind. Go 
now from the rear door to the College where all 
such perplexing questions are made clear.” 

The visitor seizing, as he thought, a golden 
opportunity, gladty consented, and, to his great 
surprise, found a building of magnificent propor- 
tions into which he entered. 

After listening, a very short time, to Satan’s 
teaching on the origin of sin, he emerged from 
the school with a heavy bundle of opinions on his 
back and failed to find the Old Way. After 
wandering and stumbling about on this summit 
of human learning he finally found the Broad 
Highway whereon he could carry his vain bur- 
den with ease. 

These Bureaus of Information have ensnared 
so many learned men, including ministers and 
professors, that the King of Glory has here placed 
special signs of warning to all travelers; these 
have saved many men from the snare of “the fow- 
ler.”-/ 

I saw three young College students about to 
enter one of the Bureaus. There stood an aged 
pilgrim near by who shouted: 

“Come ! ye young men, out of the snare of the 
Devil, or ye will be taken captive by hi _i at his 
will !” 


110 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

The voice sounded so friendly that they 
hesitated long enough to discern that the building 
did not touch the King’s Highway. 

Then they remembered that they had been 
told long before logo by the King’s Highway, and 
not to turn to the right hand nor to the left, nor 
even to step from the path, lest they should slip 
and fall to their hurt. So they passed on about 
their Father’s business. 

Near the edge of the King’s Highway I saw 
another device to catch men unawares. It was 
invented in the Wizard City and had been success- 
fully used by Satan for many centuries. 

It was an artificial woman , dressed in modest 
apparei, and so constructed that the arms were 
uplifted and the heart plainly visible, making the 
curious image just unnatural enough to attract 
the attention of all pilgrims. 

Over the head of the image these words were 
written: “Touch this magic heart for the charms 
that follow. ” 

It was ridiculous to see how many of the 
young and old, in passing over this way of life, 
stepped from the path and tried the experiment. 

One man I saw who ventured to touch the 
mystic heart and ere his eyes could look into the 
face of the image, its arms embraced him in a 
tightening grasp. 

Away the image moved with graceful ease 
into elysian bowers of sensual joy. There he re- 
mained to breathe its poisoned air, and feed upon 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 


Ill 


the husks of such a clime. 

I also saw a man of riper years who looked 
curiously at another image similar to the one that 
had just moved away. At first he was doubtful 
whether to test it or not.- and as he stood in con- 
sideration he raised his eyes and saw these words- 
plainly written over the King’s Highway: — 

TO ALL DESCENDANTS OF ADaM. 

Beware,. O pilgrim, of this woman’s heart, 

Lest you should from the Narrow Way depart; 

For if you touch a secret chord within, 

You’re borne away to wider fields of sin. 

He read this sign a few times and also heard 
the voice of a good friend who told him that he* 
had seen thousands go to ruin by not heeding this- 
warning. Nevertheless he was urged by curiosi- 
ty and carnality, and being hardened by former 
acts of disobedience, he saw nothing but innocent 
pleasure before him and yielded to his baser de- 
sires. 

“O f rescue me, Mr. Law, I am in the clutches 
of this woman,” was his beseeching cry, not long 
after. But I saw that no one came to his help. 

There were many such places in this valley 
where men, both young and old, were enticed;, 
many of whom could not have been caught by the 
snares of vice at other places along the Broad 
Highway. 

I saw also,, farther down the valley, that Satan, 
used all manner of traps and nets to catch the 
silly and the foolish. That which attracted my* 


112 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

attention the most was a series of stations built 
close to the King’s Highway. At each place Satan 
employed a company of expert men who were 
trained to use a lasso. 

I saw certain men and women of the King s 
Highway who oecame so inflated with their own 
vanity and imaginations that they rose head and 
shoulder above their humbler comrades, thus en- 
abling the lasso of Pride to get hold of them. 
Some ; by heeding advice, escaped; others sub- 
mitted to the drawing power, and landed in the 
kingdoms of the World where they could worship 
their new God with increasing ardor. 

There was also a certain young man who dot- 
ed so much on his own ways that his head rose 
unusually high. He was, therefore, easily caught 
by a lasso called Conceit. Good friends came to 
his rescue and told him to realize at once that he 
was nothing, and thereby he would suddenly be- 
come so small that he would drop completely out 
of his trouble. 

But'he said that he could not believe a lie, 
whereat the lasso tightened still more about his 
neck, and he succeeded by still further struggling 
to remain a very brief time on the King’s High- 
way, but being in pain, be soon yielded to the in- 
evitable, and went to worship before the shrme 
of his own god. 

I also saw that the women of the King’s High- 
way were an exceeding great army, mighty in bat- 
tling against the foe, much to the discomfiture of 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 


I ’3 


Satan and his allies. 

To counteract the influence of this sex Satan 
has plied his ingenuity ever since the beginning. 
In his Pharaoh fashion he has so manipulated the 
customs of the world that woman is trampled un- 
der foot in uncivilized lands, and in lands of light 
she is ostracized by sections of the Christian 
church and despise! in the civil realm. And yet, 
with a faithful heart, she suffers this indignity 
and, looking up from underneath this weight, she 
offers to the powers that crush her down the 
holiest sacrifice that one can give 

O spirit of the age, like flowers of Heaven, 

Thy fragrance will no$ die, but live eternal; 

And woman shall, some holier, happier day, 

Attain her highest glory in the world. 

Yet notwithstanding all these means where- 
with Satan has made the path of woman so hard 
to travel, he has discovered that he can not dis- 
grace her by any means as effectually as through 
the old temptation. 

Consequently Satan has kept the seed of the 
central tree of the garden and still raises, on the 
broad uplands of Hell, forbidden fruit , which, 
through engrafting processes, has come to many 
varieties. 

This mysterious product of the tree, so suited 
to the natural palate of womankind, is provided 
abuudantly on each side of the King’s Highway 
along the whole length of the Valley of Tempta- 
tion, and is offered, ostensibly, free of charge. 


G 


114 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

I watched, with chagrin and horror, the sub- 
tle influences of this fiendish work, seeing young 
women and those of riper experience go down 
alike under this intoxication of Hell. 

As I looked again at the whole Valley, what 
sad sights of intemperance painfully greeted my 
eyes ! 

The intervening ground was a veritable bed 
of iniquity, for it swarmed with half-clothed ine- 
briates who patronized the miserable and filthy 
hovels of lowest resort, while inebriates, in finer 
array, entered the apartments which were dec- 
orated and finished in all the beauty that wealth 
could*afford, and supplied with alcoholic beverages 
under a fashionable biU of fare. 

I could see the same Devil controlling all, and 
the same gutter or the same Hell receiving all 
who did not yield to the agencies of eternal life. 

Among the many temperance organizations 
that operated throughout the valley I observed a 
band of women who threatened to overthrow the 
evil. They had, by long persistent effort, dis- 
covered the underground connections between 
the distillery and the saloons, and therefore they 
were endeavoring to kill the traffic at the head. 

This movement at first created laughter in 
the ranks of the foe, but the women have con- 
tinued patiently and have built a thousand batter- 
ies from which they hurl projectiles of death in- 
to the camp of intemperance. Since then the 
agents of darkness have ceased their laughter and 


THE VALLEY OF TEMPTATION. 115 

instead have set to building defences behind which 
they hope to carry on their business with im - 
punity. 

But the bands of women have entered into an 
eternal agreement, pledged their faith one to 
another, and have been calling upon Heaven for 
help; therefore they declared that no flag will 
be lowered, and no gun will be silent until the 
great wall around the city of their foes shall fall, 
either at a long blast of the horn or a continuous 
volley from their ramparts. 


CHAPTER IX. 


The Tower of Temptation. 


1. The tower affords the most advantageous view of 
the world and a most discouraging view of the King’s 
Highway. 

2. The triumphant flight of Mrs. Discouraged from 
the tower’s top to a place on the King’s Highway called 
“Victory by Faith.” 

3. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member ride from 
the tower’s top in Satan’s new air ship. 


R. WORLD and Miss Church- Member, 
continuing on the Broad Highway, en- 
tered the Valley of Temptation with all 



its gaiety and outward happiness. 

This valley is known by the pilgrims of the 
King’s Highway as the Devil’s Heaven, for here 
the tinsel of the world, the pomp of society, and 
the wealth of material grandeur are manifested in 
all their glory. 

“An exceedingly pleasant valley,” said Mr. 
World as they drew nearer to the scenes of activ- 
ity on each side of the way. 

“Beyond my anticipation, indeed. Our jour- 
ney is growing more and more delightful,” she 
joyously replied. 

As they journeyed on Miss Church- Member 
came into agreeable fellowship with some of her 
former Christian associates who, by looking over 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 117 

into the territory of the World, coveted its ways 
and were snared by one or another of Satan’s de- 
vices to catch the unwary. The larger portion of 
these new recruits were firmly convinced that they 
were still traveling on the road to Heaven, even 
though they had fully left the Narrow Way. 

Miss Church-Member congratulated her com- 
rades of earlier years on their happy choice of a 
wider and more pleasant path, and they accepted 
her invitation to spend a season together in the 
vallev. 

These new associates were welcomed most 
cordially by Mr. World who left nothing undone 
that might add to their comfort or pleasure. 

The merry company passed down the valley 
and paused at a magnificent temperance saloon 
which occupied nearly the whole space between 
the two Highways. Into this place of attractive 
rooms I saw many enter from the King’s Highway, 
much to the displeasure of their great Master. 

In this infernal guise Satan seduces many an 
unsuspecting traveler to take one more step down- 
ward toward the lowest service of his kingdom* 
Mr. World courteously offered refreshments and 
conducted his friends into the “Ladies’ Parlor” 
where they drank alleged unfermented wines and 
admired the sculpture and works of aft which 
adorned the place. They were then offered their 
choice of porter, sweet cider, root beer, hot punch 
(special for a cold), or eggnog for a weak heart. 
Thus each one was enabled to find a beverage di- 


118 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

rectly suited to his need or taste, for some had 
contracted a cold, while others were suffering with 
cardiac troubles. 

Not far from this respectable place, and con- 
nected secretly therewith, stood a group of build- 
ings patronized by the lower order of criminals 
and inebriates. These haunts bore a black repu- 
tation . 

Mr. World and his joyous companions, by rea- 
son of their refined natures and good standing in 
the church, would not so much as look at such des- 
picable resorts, but continued their journey 
until they came to a wider section of the valley 
where they saw numberless rescue bands at work, 
but especially a great army of Endeavorers pre- 
senting a formidable front. 

“Whence came this company so great that it 
cannot be numbered?” asked Mr. World in a state 
of nervous agitation. 

One of the new companions quickly answered: 
“They come from the King’s Highway and are 
trying to capture the kingdom of this world and 
bring it into subjection to God. I know all 
about them and can testify that they are a mighty 
and glorious band.” 

The regiments of this great host were march- 
ing on, each soldier equipped with the full panoply 
of his station. Many of the pilgrims on the Broad 
Highway trembled at the presence of so powerful 
an army. It has caused the enemy much concern 
how to meet and, if possible, conquer this foe. 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 


119 


This army of Endeavorers constantly grows and, 
according to the claims of the enemy, the most suc- 
cessful plans to oppose it are not yet matured. 
Satan has promised his forces that he would utterly 
rout these daring legions as soon as some new in- 
ventions of war were perfected. 

The merry companions, not being moved with 
anger, endured the gigantic display of this host 
without chagrin. 

Mr. World quieted his rising fears and urged 
his comrades onward past the Tobacco Station 
until they reached the centre of the valley where 
the King’s Highway was the roughest, and the 
Broad Highway the smoothest. 

Here was built the most remarkable structure 
of the valley . A high tower of imposing strength, 
whose foundations were broad, occupied the whole 
space between the two highways, and totally cov- 
ered the King’s Highway with a massive arch. 

This was known amongst Christians as the 
Devil’s Tower or Tower of Temptation. It was 
built by Satan, and was said to afford the finest 
view of the world to all who would consent to take 
a ride upward in its electric carriage. 

The location of the tower was perfectly adapted 
to the purpose intended. Scarcely any pilgrims 
en route for Heaven passed by without taking a 
view of the sights. 

Before this mountain was built, a high moun- 
tain-cliff, on one side of the valley, was used by the 
agents of darkness for the same purpose. 


120 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Thereon David ascended and saw the prosper- 
ity of the wicked until envy filled his soul, and 
his ‘‘steps had well-nigh slipped. ” Had it not been 
that by faith he looked to a mountain far away* 
and understood the end of the prosperous worldly 
minded, he might have there fallen to his death. 

Upon this mountain Satan took Christ, the 
Son of God, and showed him all the kingdoms of 
the world, and the glory of them; and said unto 
him: “All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt 
fall down and worship me.” 

From this mountain Judas saw the wealth of 
the world, and there was begotten within him an 
inordinate craving for earthly gain which at last 
dragged him down to a miserable end. 

As time rolled on, Satan erected this magnifi- 
cent tower Higher than the loftiest crag of the 
mountain. 

I saw that Mr. World and his companions 
were looking at the exterior finish of the tower, 
after which they stepped to the base and spent 
some time in watching the many schemes that 
were employed to induce disheartened Christians 
to take the Broad Highway after descending the 
tower. 

They saw that one of the most successful of 
these schemes was a series of little offices occupied 
by fortune tellers of reputed ability. In one of 
these they saw an old woman with a mysterious 
face. She professed to be able, by her strange 
conjuring, to reveal the future of any life. 













' 



































































, 














































































A 
























































































































The great victory of Mrs. Discouraged, who, on wings of prayer, 
escaped from the Tower of Temptation to a place called 
“ Victory by Faith.” See pages 125, 126. 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 


123 : 


A certain Mr. Downcast, who w T as a church- 
member and had just come from the top of the 
tower, visited this fortune teller, and by her de- 
scriptions of his happy future on the Broad High- 
way he was induced to travel thereon at once. 

Mr. World and his companions decided to get 
the benefit of the broad view which could be had 
from the top of the tower. They entered a car at 
the base and were delighted by the gentle ascent 
toward the clouds. 

Upon reaching the top of the tower they were 
approached by an obliging attendant and furnished 
with spy glasses of great power with which they 
could see more distinctly the beauty and great- 
ness of the world aud the roughness and incon- 
venience of traveling the King’s Highway. To 
each one ivas also given an ingenious pocket mirror in 
which could be seen , at any time , the inconsistencies of 
ch urch-mem b ers. 

I saw throngs of people circling the top of the 
tower, and many evil agents busily engaged in the 
interest of their master. 

There had just come from the King’s High- 
way a group of church- members upon whom the 
scenery had a doleful effect. Some were filled 
with melancholy, and some were sullen, wTiile de- 
spondency sent germs of slow death into other 
minds. 

These conditions enabled Satan to destroy 
more easily all hope within them of ever suc- 
ceeding on a w T ay that appeared more rugged than 


124 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ever, and also made them more desirous to taste 
the joys of this present life which now lay before 
them in such a winning way. 

I then saw one called Mrs. Discouraged who 
had never before seen so much of the world at 
once. She stood on the edge of the tower not far 
from Mr. World and his companions, and listened 
to one of the polite attendants who had given her 
also a spy glass. 

Mrs. Discouraged looked down upon the natu- 
ral comforts of life which were here seen to best 
advantage. She saw, with ease, the Broad High- 
way presenting a picture of happiness as far as 
the glass could reach. 

Then did one of the smooth-tongued attend- 
ants speak to another group of pilgrims who also 
had just come from the King’s Highway: 

“Witness thegloryof the Broad Highway and 
see how it goes down this valley ever into finer 
stretches of country. See on yonder distant ele- 
vations that magnificent University of the World 
built at an enormous cost and sacrifice for the ac- 
commodation of all travelers. Each one of you 
who reaches the lower end of this valley should 
take the Mountain Trolley and spend a season at 
those schools. They occupy some of the grandest 
buildings in the w T orld. Focus your glasses and 
behold the great sight.” 

Continuing he said: “The path you see lead- 
ing down there, in this other part of the valley, is 
called King's Highway, very rough indeed, as you 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 


125 


all can see. Thereon it is hard to travel and diffi- 
cult to stand still. It is so narrow that if a trav- 
eler should stand still, he is constantly harassed 
or pushed about by those who wish to pass on. 
The other highway furnishes a marked contrast, 
for there a person may stand still without annoy- 
ance to himself or anyone else. The way is so 
wide that he can even sit on an easy chair and yet 
not be in the way of others who wish to hasten on. 
The one who built this Wider Way kept in mind 
the convenience and comfort of travelers.” 

“The so-called King’s Highway,” still contin- 
ued the attendant, “is beset with many dangers, 
and passes through many places similar to the one 
far down the valley.” They all looked through 
their glasses, and saw the Meshes of Doubt on 
each side of the Narrow Way. 

“Those are the sorts of places, ’’concluded the 
speaker, “that one must constantly pass through 
in the service of an imaginary king.” 

Mrs. Discouraged saw all these things and 
heard all these words. She was so disheartened 
that she knew not what to do. 

“Have I served my God in vain?” she ques- 
tioned in wardly . “Must all my testimonies fall to 
the earth? Surely the way of the world seems to 
be an easy way, and more suited to a person in 
trouble. ” 

She suddenly fell on her knees, as she was 
wont to do in such emergencies, and. behold, I saw 
her, on wings of prayer, flv in triumph from the 


ICe MR. 'WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


tower’s top. down the valley, over the Meshes of 
Doubt. and land on the King’s Highway in a most 
glorious place called Victory by Faith. She thence 
went on her way rejoicing. 

Then did the attendant, on the tower, speak 
of her in ridicule. ‘ The poor mortal, in her in- 
sanity, has descended to a bad level and must, of 
necessity, climb yonder terrible hill which, as your 
eyes bear testimony, is the last part of the Narrow 
Way visible from the tower.” 

“She went, however, in a miraculous way. 
Those wings were sure and steady, and I was 
pleased with the swiftness of her flight, ’’said Mrs. 
Diligence who was also a pilgrim from the King’s 
Highway. 

“Without doubt,” answered the attendant, 
“but she went with heavy labor of her wings. 
Had she told me that she wished to take a flight, 
I could have given her a finer trip in one of the 
aerial ships lately invented by the experts of the 
Wizard City. I will summon one. Look no more 
at Mrs. Discouraged with wings, but fix your eyes 
toward the east, and you will soon witness the 
floating car whereon thousands go out daily from 
this tower into pleasant places.” 

As he said this he gave a signal, aud soon the 
strangely shaped air-ship came in sight, to the de- 
light of all who saw it. 

“It must be far better,” said one of the spec- 
tators, “to travel in a car like that, than to be work- 
ing your wings in the air. ” 


THE TOWER OF TEMPTATION. 


127 


“A thing of beauty.” “The greatest inven- 
tion of the century.” “It moves as easily as a bird,” 
were some of the various sentences that were 
spoken enthusiastically as the object drew nearer. 

“Shall we ride in it ?” quicklyasked Mr. World 
as he turned to the little gronp at his side. 

The new companions who so recently came 
from the King’s Highway timorously fell back at 
his abrupt suggestion, but Miss Church-Member 
offered to accompany him. 

As the aerial machine was stopping at the 
tower Mr. World and Miss Church-Member were 
speedily exchanging their words of farewell and 
preparing for the new ride. 

They were soon numbered with a host of ex- 
pectant passengers on board. The lines were 
loosened and the wierd air-ship cut the wind like 
a large bird on wing, and sped away to the pleas- 
ure grounds along the Broad Highway where most 
of the passengers found such delightsome fellow- 
ship that they ref used thereafter to go on any other 
than the Wider Way. 


CHAPTER X. 


Dark Schemes of Satan, 


1. The two companions land far down the valley on 
the “Midway,” whence they take the Mountain Trolley 
and visit the underground Schools of Suicide. 

2. Satan’s primitive address on Literature. 


HE aerial car carried Mr. World and Miss 



Church-Member to the far end of the 


^ * Valley of Temptation where they spent 
a delightful season in the pleasures of sense and 


sight. 


They lingered mostly on the wide interven- 
ing space between the two paths which was 
known in this part of the valley'as “The Midway. ” 
Here they saw a large number of pilgrims from 
the King’s Highway who were engaging in one 
or another of the endless amusements which can 
be enjoyed without stepping altogether on the 
Broad Highway. 

On this long Midway humanity swarmed by 
millions. Some, forgetful of their vows, or re- 
gardless of their honor, stepped into the lower 
haunts of vice, and offered sweet flowers of purity 
and fragrance in exchange for dry and filthy 
husks from the floor of the stall. But Miss 
Church-Member, in keeping with her moral char- 
acter, did not surrender her chastity, and, 


DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. 


129 * 


although she had such continual fellowship with 
Mr. World she yet held the respect of many other 
church-members; for it was quite fashionable to 
belong to the church and walk in the steps of the 
■world. Satan, under a guise, has offered to give, 
even before death, handsome rewards to any 
church-member who succeeds in carrying a cer- 
tain amount of the world with him on his way to 
Heaven, and multitudes are trying the experi- 
ment. Some, in hope of winning larger prizes, 
are verily loaded down with the worrying weights 
of the world. 

Looking away from this immediate vicinity 
of the valley, any traveler could see, far above 
the surrounding scenes, the “University of the- 
World,” whose front buildings crested the moun- 
tain elevations for many miles. This imposing 
sight had awakened the admiration of Mr. World 
and his friend, and had it not been for the count- 
less attractions of the Midway they would have 
hurriedly pushed their way to the schools, imme- 
diately after the aerial car had carried them over 
the proud domes of the University and landed, 
them in the vale. 

During one of the darker periods which now 
and then cover the whole Midway with its 
shadows, the two companions caught the flashes 
of variously-colored lights which emanated from 
every part of the elevated structure, making the 
entire mountain appear as if a vast crown of 
nature were decked with dazzling diamonds rare.. 


130 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Miss Church-Member was excited by this 
unusual show of brilliancy, and nothing on the 
lower level could any longer hold her attention. 

“How can we best rise to that glorious sum- 
mit?” she inquired with a glow of enthusiasm. 

“Ah,” smiled Mr. World, “surely we need 
not think of walking up this mountain. Have 
you forgotten the obliging attendant who advised 
us as we stood on the beautiful tower? Did he 
not direct us to take the Mountain Trolley ?” 

Without delay they sought the Midway sta- 
tion, entered one of the up-to-date cars, and 
instead of going directly to the mountain top, 
they were surprised to find that they were being 
carried into the bowels of the mountain. 

“Whence go we dashing through the dark ?” 
asked the terror-stricken Miss Church-Member 
as she held fast to Mr. World. 

But ere tier escort could answer they came 
into an immense cavern dimly lighted. The car 
stopped at a station called Rest, and a voice 
announced in distant tones: “Come, ye troubled 
or distressed, and ye who are disgraced! Here 
linger in this underground school and learn of 
the rest that is for the weary.” 

“What is your wish ?” courteously asked Mr. 
World. 

“I am neither in trouble nor in disgrace. 
Why should I tarry ?” 

“Only to see the lower schools before we go 
to the higher,” was his winning answer. 


DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. 1 11 

They alighted and walked forth in the dismal 
light. They could readily discern strangely 
shaped buildings of a costly type. The air was 
stifling, and everything wore a melancholy dress; 
yet, withal, there was a pleasing charm about the 
place. Some secret touch in the doleful music, 
or some bright tinge bo the ominous shadows* 
awakened a curiosity and a hope in the visitors 
that prevented them from leaving the cavern at 
once. 

In a half -decided mood Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member meandered through this sickly 
region, and had decided to leave the place when 
they saw this illuminated motto over a massive 
arch: 

TO ALL WHO ARB DISGRACED ! 

THE SHORTEST ROUTE TO REST! 

(ENTRANCE.) 

A genial attendant informed Mr. World that 
visitors were welcome, but Miss Church-Member 
consented to enter only after some hesitancy. It 
was indeed a da rk school, with long narrow halls 
where one could only see the darker side of life. 
Everything about the place evidenced the dark 
designs of Satan. The teachers in this infamous 
place, by a series of graded instructions, sug- 
gested to their pupils that suicide was the surest 
and shortest road to rest. In the darker rooms 
of the rear I saw, to my horror, a scene that 
neither Mr. World nor Miss Church-Member were 

H 


132 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

permitted to see. It ivas the daily graduating class* 
of this school of suicide. Each member of the class 
was choosing by what method he would rend the 
strand of life with his own hand, in the desperate 
and sickening hope of finding rest “where their 
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. ’’ 

I quickly turned from this revolting spec- 
tacle, and saw that Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member had returned to the station called Rest. 
They boarded the first car and were soon speed- 
ing on through Dismal Tannel. It was a welcome 
moment when the car emerged from the darkness- 
into the light of day and took its winding course 
upward toward the microcosm of schools, which r 
as seen from this side of the mountain, also pre- 
sented a picture of imposing magnitude. 

When the car reached the University station 
Mr. World and his friend alighted, and at once 
entered one of the carriages in waiting. They 
were hurried away toward a group of immense 
structures known as the “College of the World’s 
Literature;” and yet with all the immensity of its 
buildings, it was but a small part of the whole 
University which lay far extended over the dis- 
tant mountain elevations. 

As the noiseless carriage sped along I turned 
toward Blackana, who, in strange muteness still 
tarried at my side. “I command you, O Black 
Interpreter, to tell me of the origin and manage- 
ment of this College of Literature.” As I spoke 
he turned his face in a manner that made me 


DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. 133 

tremble. His sepulchral, husky voice only added 
to my uneasiness. 

“It originated,” he explained, “in simpler 
form, immediately after Satan commenced opera- 
tions on the face of the earth. Parallel with the 
progress of every age it has increased tp its pre- 
sent proportions. That which you see is but the 
central point of this great educational enterprise. 
Its unseen branches extend into every part of 
the world. This whole system is under the control 
of Satan His most learned disciples have charge 
of the special departments.” , 

“And what is the purpose of this limitless 
scheme ?” I further queried. 

The whole organism of Blackana quivered; 
with reluctance as if he would not answer. “Re- 
fuse me not;” I continued, “you well know that 
lhave underneath me the everlasting arms. ” 

He was restless for a moment, angrily rolling 
his awful eyes. Suddenly his attitude changed 
and he thus calmly answered my question: “The 
purpose of all these schools is to counteract and, 
if possible, to destroy the influence of the teach- 
ings of Him who is called Jesus Christ. He was 
once visible in the flesh and declared that his 
kingdom was everlasting. Of him it was said 
that he would reign till he put all things under 
his feet.” 

Then did Blackana add with fiery emphasis: 
“Neither my master nor any of his allies will ever be 
put under his feet Satan’s words ran wild as he 


434 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

addressed the insulted hosts of Hell on this issue. ” 
Knowing that Blackana had a perfect memory, I 
commanded that he should reproduce Satan’s 
address in my own dialect. 

Like a flash of lightning he flung himself to 
the winds around me, thereby transforming him- 
self into the image of Satan. It appeared as if a 
thousand spirits in fitful rage were dancing in 
mid-air. 

Then his voice pealed forth the logic of Hell 
-as Satan had spoken it centuries before: “Have 
ye heard, my noble comrades, how that Heaven 
flings insults into our teeth ? Not satisfied that 
we grovel on these remains of empire, we are 
further threatened with being cast miserably 
under his feet. Whose feet I ask ? The feet of 
our direst foe, whom to worship, as he desireth, 
means serfdom worse than ours. Is there one of 
you who will surrender his native dignity in such 
a fashion ?” 

Millions of voices rendered the air hideous 
with, their cries, so accurately did Blackana repro- 
duce it all. 

“I knew your sentiments;” continued he, 
triumph ringing in his tones, “what can we do 
but stand unitedly on our rustic frontier, and 
push the conquest on to farther realms. Then 
all Heaven will learn that we are made of grit 
too fine and true to lie beneath the feet of any 
foe.” 

As Blackana continued, I was struck with 


DARK SCHEMES OF SATAN. 


135 


shuddering terror at his awful gestures; but con- 
scious that no harm could befall me, I continued 
listening to his flaming oratory. 

‘We must arise and seize our opportunities. 
Go forth, under cover of night, and sow the seed 
of our own growing; this will flourish in the very 
soil that Christ would bring to highest cultiva- 
tion. The germs of our literature, rooted in hu- 
man soil and growing secretly beneath the sur- 
face, shall spread throughout the world and come 
to fruitage in the light of every clime.” 

“We must build schools of literature, in- 
spire the authors of the world with our fine 
creed, and thereby spread our doctrines to the 
myriad readers of every land and tongue. Who 
then, amongst our enemies, can kill the appetite 
when once ’tis roused to craving for the carnal ? 
Give me the quill and the coming pen and press, 
and 1 can create thought at my bidding and turn 
the main streams of human endeavor into what- 
soever channels I choose; and thus our river shall 
run full, while other streams are drying.” 

“With such a work how can our cause grow 
less or we go groveling under any foot ? Impos- 
sible, my heroes; for we will live in glorious 
triumph to the end of time. On to your tasks, 
ye listening multitudes, and he who most success- 
fully conteraets the so-called ‘Truth’ shall be a 
ruler in my kingdom, and shine more brightly 
than the radiance of all this region.” 

Thus was the speech suddenly ended, and I 


136 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

heard the unearthly reverberations of the fiendish 
cheering by the mighty host, while the form of 
Satan vanished; but from his waning shadows 
Blackana came forth and in death -like silence 
again resumed his sullen attitude at my side. 


CHAPTER XI. 


Schools of Literature. First and Second 
Divisions. 

J. The schools described. 

2. The literature of the world tainted by the teachers 
of darkness. 

3. Satan’s rules for the winning- author. 

HE College of Literature, in three grand 



divisions, occupied one of the most at- 


tractive sites of all the territory covered 
by the University of the World. It was owned 
and controlled by Satan and was visited by the 
children of the human family from every portion 
of the earth. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member came 
thither in a conveyance. They stood before the 
massive structure which comprised the first 
division of the College. Around them were the 
living fountains which, like pearls in billows of 
green, played upon the expansive lawn. While 
they strolled along the pebbled paths they were 
lost in admiration as they continued looking upon 
the stupendous building which towered far into 
the air and extended as far as the eye could 
reach. In breathless silence they noted first its 
size, then its durability, and marveled most at the 
splendid symmetry of the parts, each blending 
into a perfect whole. 


138 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Heaven must have inspired so great and 
beautiful a design,” was the first comment of 
Miss Church-Member. “Those porticos hang- 
ing in rnid air; those domes and pillars, dream 
like, stand before me more like a hundred fabled 
castles, than aught real to sight or touch. ” 

“Indeed the world affords rich and delightful 
privileges to all who will but w T alk in her ways,” 
said Mr. World just as, they arrived at one of the 
large entrances, over which these words were 
written : 

DEPOSITORY OF THE WORLD’S LITERA- 
TURE. WELCOME TO ALL ! 

As Miss Church- Member viewed the weighty 
pillars on each side of the entrance, she exclaim- 
ed: “This is indeed a rare opportunity. Me- 
thinks I could revel, with delight, forever in 
fields of literature Come, Mr. World, let us at 
once pass through the massive doors and learn 
what we can from so great a source. ” 

Although the literary tastes of Mr World 
were not strongly developed, yet he offered no 
objections to her request. He seemed willing to 
suffer any inconvenience for her sake so long as 
she traveled on the Broad Highway. 

As they were entering the building I saw 
that many from the church and the world were 
also pushing their way into the interior that they 
might get a glimpse of the inner halls, and visit 
the ones that were best suited to their fancies. 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


13& 


Miss Church-Member was surprised when 
she saw the unique arrangement of the interior. 
There were twenty-eight magnificent halls so con- 
structed that they converged toward a large cen- 
tral office, into which I saw Mr. World and his 
companion enter, profoundly impressed with the 
smallness of the single human mind. 

After answering the stipulated questions, 
they registered under the rules and regulations,, 
and were given certificates entitling them to all 
the privileges which this first division of the Col- 
lege accorded to visitors. 

In the commodious office they learned that 
each of the twenty eight halls contained a distinc- 
tive line of literature, systematically arranged in 
numerous sub-departments; and that competent 
librarians superintended the literature of each 
hall and of each department. 

Miss Church- Member ascertained also that 
each hall was centrally supplied with a lecture 
room, having an immense seating capacity, and 
that learned professors, each m their turn, occu- 
pied the platform and constantly gave lectures 
which were intended to describe and illustrate 
the class of literature represented in their facul- 
ties. 

After considerable time spent in the office 
they passed through the long and wide circular 
lobby, reading the beautifully emblazoned in- 
scriptions over each entrance door, and could not 
immediately decide into which hall they would, 


'140 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 


first enter. 

At length, after a pleasant loitering, Mr. 
'World led his charming comrade into the fourth 
dial], over whose entrance, in plain words, this in- 
scription appeared: 

ALL THAT WAS EVER WRITTEN CONCERN- 
ING JESUS CHRIST. 

They first chose to enter a sub-department 
where ancient scrolls, parchments, and papyri 
could be seen in tiresome variety. Miss Church- 
Member scanned most carefully some of the 
-manuscripts which had never been published. 

In other sections of the hall were books and 
pamphlets of all descriptions, each one referring 
to Jesus Christ, in a favorable or an unfavorable 
manner. 

During these visitations the attendants ex- 
tended unusual courtesies to Mr. World and his 
faithful friend, and also to the endless procession 
of visitors and students w ho were constantly mov- 
ing through these departments. Finally the two 
companions proceeded to the lecture room of this 
hall and listened to an address entitled: “The 
Divinity of Christ,” by one of Satan’s ablest advo- 
cates— a professor with ecclesiastical titles. His 
-gestures were unique and his style altogether 
persuasive. 

I heard his words with great displeasure, for 
they taught the philosophy of Hell, with Heaven 
on the face of it. 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


341 


“I must congratulate myself,’* commenced 
he, “on having the privilege of addressing so in- 
telligent a class of people. I only hope that I 
may be helpful to you iu your quest of knowledge. 

“The central theme of this hall is ‘Jesus 
Christ,’ and I shall now proceed to speak of his 
so called ‘Divinity.’ I cannot question that 
there is a supreme hand in the works of nature, 
but after careful research T am compelled to 
doubt the genuineness of the Divinity which is 
ascribed to Christ. True enough, his childhood 
was blameless, and he possessed exceptional wis- 
dom so that many of his countrymen believed him 
to be more than human. In this manner the idea 
of his Divinity originated, and this fallacy grew 
as the man grew. 

“He was shrewd, and possessed a great 
amount of magnetic force which was trained and 
used with remarkable skill, all of which made 
him pose as a God before a credulous and unsus- 
pecting public. The ignorance and gross super- 
stition of that age made a lit soil for the spread of 
Christ’s doctrine and the idea that he was Divine. 

“When Jesus discerned that his claims were 
more readily accepted by the poorer and more 
ignorant class of people, he lauded them in his 
teachings, while the learned and more respect- 
able classes were subjected to his abuse and sar- 
casm. 

“By his unusual tactics he overcame the pre- 
judices of his enemies and, for a long time, es- 


142 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

caped punishment. But finally he was arrested 
and convicted, and notwithstanding 1 his so-called 
Divine power he came to an inglorious end by 
deach on a cross. His friends, unable to prevent 
his cursed death, quickly formed a plot to per- 
petuate his doctrines. They carried out their 
plot by stealthily robbing Christ’s body from the 
grave and secretly burying it elsewhere, and 
then spreading the news that he, of his own pow- 
er, came forth from the grave. To complete the 
fraud they also claimed, a little later, that he had 
ascended into Heaven. What was the purpose of 
all this ? It was to prove that Christ was Divine 
and thereby to make his teachings authoritative 
and eternal. 

“I wish to inform you that the manuscripts 
and parchments, in sub-department number six 
of this hall, all point to the fact that Jesus Christ 
was born like any other babe and that his father 
was Joseph. Dishonest, indeed, is any one who 
would rob Joseph of this honor. ‘Honor to whom 
honor is due.’ While Christ was a great man, he 
never had in him the elements of Divinity. Let 
millions in the world glory in their imaginary 
theology, yet that is no reason why scholarly re- 
search should be put to naught, or why it should 
be sacrificed. We are living in the morning twi- 
light of a better day when God shall be worship- 
ed and Jesus Christ ignored; when aU thought of 
Divinity will center at the true focus and a man 
no longer receive the glory that belongs to God. ” 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 143 

The vigorous applause which followed the re- 
marks of this speaker fell with grating horror on 
my ears. “Can it be possible,” thought I, “that 
any one can publicly teach such doctrines of Hell, 
and be thus applauded ? Whither are so many of 
the church and the world drifting that they 
should give ear to such theology as it comes 
from the mouth of the Devil ?” 

Miss Church- Member and her escort left the 
lecture room and visited a few more of the sub- 
departments where they saw many objects of 
literary interest and, with the aid of experts, ex- 
amined some of the old manuscripts dating back 
to the time of Christ. 

They left the hall and were next attracted by 
the words over the entrance of Hall No. 9 appear- 
ing thus: 

LITERATURE ON LIFE. 

1. Vegetable Life. 

2. Animal Life. 

3. Mental Life. 

4. Spiritual Life. 

At the suggestion of Miss Church-Member 
they entered, and could readily see that the at- 
tendants and lecturers of this hall were also of a 
very high class. One of the speakers elaborated 
on the theory that life is the result of spontaneous 
generation. 

Another, in speaking on spiritual life, made 
special reference to the fact that Jesus Christ 


144 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH- MEMBER. 


claimed to be the “Life,” and then proceeded to 
refute this claim by a series of arguments which 
were altogther too philosophical to be understood 
by the two companions. 

Finding no pleasure in this metaphysical 
atmosphere. Mr. World conducted his companion 
to the adjoining hall devoted to the “Literature 
of Fiction. ” 

Here they spent a season delightfully, perus- 
ing works of fiction and listening to the address- 
es, all of which advocated the views of Satan. 

I heard one of the lecturers, in a discussion 
on “The License of Pure Fiction” make these 
dangerous remarks* “The highest fiction of the 
world is that in which human life is pictured in 
ideal colors, even though it be done at the ex- 
pense of truth. 

“There can be no harm if the reader should 
gain a false view of life. The very charm of such 
a view will act as a stimulus to a wider experi- 
ence and to a higher culture. 

“In our real life, as we come in daily contact 
with the world, we see and suffer enough There- 
fore it cannot be harmful if fiction carries us into 
strange worlds of morality or into any mythical 
realm. I give you but the result of long and care- 
ful study, and I advise you to read the wildest 
and most exciting forms of fiction, and thereby 
get the healthful and exhilarating effect that 
comes from total mental absorption. All this will 
tend to the development of your nature so that 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


1 45 * 


you will, by contrast, better appreciate the sub- 
stantial things of life.” 

I saw that Mr. World and Miss Churchr 
Member next visited the hall devoted to the* 
“Literature of the Passions”’ 

After they had entered, Miss Ohurch-Memr 
ber, at first, felt embarrassed and her sense of 
modesty would not have allowed her to remain, 
had it not been that her conscience was eased by 
these conditions: 

1. She saw that among the moving thou- 
sands that were present in the massive hall, many 
belonged to the higher classes of society. 

2. She was also informed that not a few of 
the throng held good membership in various 
branches of the visible church. 

3. She readily observed that Mr. World was- 
so much delighted that she offered no protest,, 
and that he seemed to take an interest in the 
endless program as carried out in one depart- 
ment or another. 

In this poisonous hall Miss Church-Member 
stultified herself more than in any other place 
which she had ever before visited, and thereby 
added one more decisive step in her downward 
course. She tarried longest in one of the sub- 
departments where Satan’s expert doctors of 
literature delivered their special lectures on the 
writings of each author as far as they related 
directly or indirectly to the passions. 

These avowed experts carried on their fiend- 


14a MR. WORLD AND MLSS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


ish work under the cover of a pleasing dignity. 
After their crafty manner they quoted or read 
the fine sentences of an author, preferably those of 
a sensual cast, and then placed a premium on the 
passionate by describing the fine style of the 
author and showing how true to nature was the 
language he employed. 

Thus I saw that the leaders of this depart- 
ment were using the choicest and the foulest pro- 
ductions of the pen, gathered from the authors 
of all lands, languages, and ages, and Miss 
Church-Member, by degrees almost impercepti- 
ble, voluntarily sacrificed her finer moral taste on 
a popular and polluted altar. 

To a pure heart there was an unclean cast 
and a withering effect prevalent throughout all 
the departments of this hall, and my heart burn- 
ed as I continued observing how the agents of 
Satan plied their subtle influences so as to popu- 
larize this cosmopolitan resort. So effectually 
has Satan entrenched his views that some of the 
strong defenders of this hall of literature are 
connected with the church, and types of this same 
teaching have found their way into some of the 
Christian schools of the world. 

After this protracted visit Mr. World and 
Miss Church-Member left this hall and continued 
their studies in hall after hall, until more than 
one half of the twenty-eight halls were visited. 
Their next objective point was the second grand 
division of this College, devoted to ‘'Th? Elements 


SCHOOLS OP LITERATURE. 


147 


of Success in Authorship. ” 

My heart trembled at what my eyes saw. 
The great army of writers who studied in this 
department came from all countries of the earth. 
w Can it be true,” thought I, “that so large a por- 
tion of our authors get at least a part of their 
training in the schools of the Devil ?” 

“O Blackaua!” I sighed, “how long have these 
things been ?” 

“Since the beginning of literature, ” was his 
cold and brief reply. 

“Always so large a percentage of the world’s 
authors found at that school ?” 

“It has never been on the decrease,” he con- 
tinued. “So many have visited these halls that it 
has been a veritable meeting- place of almost all 
authors of all lands and all ages at some stage in 
their careers. Some who came tarried long; oth- 
ers, not satisfied, foolishly drifted to the schools 
of the King’s Highway which ever carry on their 
work in opposition to the University of the 
'World.’’ 

Here also, in this second grand division, the 
subtlest kind of teaching was prevalent. In one 
sub-division Mr. World and Miss Church-Mem- 
ber read these general laws written in bold let- 
ters where all who desired could read: 

RULES FOR THE WINNING AUTHOR. 

1. Give quality rather than quantity. 

2. If you will not compose your best, com* 

I 


148 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

pose nothing. The world is heavily overstocked 
with inferior compositions. 

3. Write nothing that will cause regret on 
your death-bed. 

4. Do not follow in the rut. Go by some 
path untraveled before, over land or sea, and tell 
the world of your new discoveries. 

5. To be acceptable, in the highest sense, 
you must teach differently than others, even 
though it be at the expense of what is commonly 
called “truth. ” Novelty is the winning feature. 

6. In any one composition strive first to 
arouse the curiosity of j^our intended readers; 
then keep the curiosity suspended and finally give 
it satisfaction in accordance with the aim in view. 

7. You may be influenced by religion, but not 
by religious nonsense. If your writings win, you 
are a teacher of millions. So, in order to reach 
the public ear you may cater to the tastes and 
wishes of the majority. 

8. If you see some vile conditions of hu- 
manity, send out, in your writings, vials of vile- 
ness. “Like cures like.” If any part of the 
church cries, “poison, poison!” you may justify 
yourself by the fact that the so-called “poison” 
in your productions will only neutralize the poison 
so prevalent in society, on the same principle 
that poison is administered to a sickly body in or- 
der to effect a cure. 

9. You are always safest when you are true 
to nature, even though some sentimental people 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


149 


may charge you with being vulgar. 

10. Words of profanity are not allowable if 
they are the mere expression of the author, but 
any foul or profane expression may be quoted. 
An author should not be charged with the impro- 
priety of his characters whoare merely taken from 
actual life. 

The above ten commandments, if properly 
interpreted and obeyed, will surely lead to lit- 
erary success. 

Then Mr World escorted his confiding friend 
from hall to hall of this second grand division, 
and at many intervals they could be seen spend- 
ing a quiet season on the lawns which surrounded 
the entire structure. 

Their tastes were now more in harmony than 
ever, and their friendship was fast reaching that 
intimacy where each one was searching for pearls 
in the deep ocean of the other’s love- 


CHAPTER XII. 


Schools of Literature. Third Division. 

1. Seven separate halls described. 

2. The far-reaching schemes of Satan to a pollute- the 
Press and the Pen. 

HE vast groups of buildings comprising the 



third division of the College of Literature 


had their frontage around the semi-circle 
of a magnificent court, in the center of which was 
a park of surpassing lovliness. On an immense 
arch, over the center of the park, these words 
were hung in shining letters: 


THIRD DIVISION: 


TRUE CHRISTIANITY AND LITERATURE. 

As Mr. World and his charming companion 
entered this great central court, they were quite 
overcome by the size and beauty of the three 
score halls, each one widening as its depth in- 
creased. Some towered one thousand feet in the 
air while others sent their proud domes, as it were, 
into the clouds. 

The two companions mingled with the multi- 
tudes, engaged in the common pleasures of this 
open court, and watched, with poetic delight, 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


151 


the sparkling fountains, while sweet strains of 
music, from scattered orchestras, lent their 
charms to the soul. The shrubbery, flowers and 
plants, as well as the works of sculpture and 
pictorial art, all appeared as if angel fingers had 
been employed in their production and arrange- 
ment. 

The season here spent by Miss Church-Mem- 
ber was the happiest that she had yet experienced 
since she had left the King’s Highway. To think 
that she was now living in the threshold of True 
Christianity, in its relation to literature, was at 
once novel and refreshing to her mind, for she 
now claimed to be a more faithful Christian than 
ever. 

During their protracted stay at this divi- 
sion they visited the following halls, each one 
devoted to a specific purpose: 

Hall No. 3. “The Bible from a Literary 
Standpoint.” 

Hall No. 8. “The Best Literature for a Sun- 
day School Class. ” 

Hall No. 9. “The Best Literature for Sun- 
day School Libraries.” 

Hall No. 13. The Best Literature for a True 
Christian to Read.” 

Hall No. 16. “Literature for a Christian’s 
‘Grip’ when on a Vacation.” 

Hall No. 27. “The Sunday Newspaper and 
Other Publications.” 

Hall No. 38. “The Best Way of Conducting 


152 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

a Religious Newspaper.” 

Mr. World spent a day with his appreciative 
friend under the teaching of Hall No. 3. The 
professors were exceptionally brilliant, and so 
won the confidence of their many hearers that 
what they said seemed to have more weight than 
even the Bible. They tried to demonstrate that 
the literary style of the Bible was below par. 

When they entered Hall No. 8 they were sur- 
prised to see how large a number of Sunday 
school workers and teachers were already there. 
The meeting that day was held largely in the 
form of an open parliament, and a discussion was 
in progress concerning the use of the Bible in 
the class during the study of the lesson. 

“Would it not be preferable,” asked an inter- 
ested visitor, “to use the Bible in the class dur- 
ing the study of the lesson, and use the special 
helps only for preparation ?” 

“Don’t think of it, don’t think of it!” abruptly 
answered the teacher. “It would be a step back- 
ward.” 

“It appears to me,” continued the visitor, 
“that our young people ought to become more 
familiar in using and handling the Bible, and if 
it were used in connection with the study of the les- 
son it would surely prove to be a valuable help, 
even beyond what the present system affords.” 

“And would you throw aside all the very valu- 
able side lights to the lesson that are being pro- 
duced in such rich variety and abundance?” 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


153 


hurriedly asked a Sunday school teacher who 
was present on a f urlough. 

“Nay, nay,” earnestly spoke the visitor, “let 
the press go on, but let not its fruit be substitut- 
ed for the bread of life. Fruit is good, delicious 
and healthful, but we need the staff of life. Let 
the real actual Bible be handled and used in the 
teaching of the lesson. 7 hen whatever else is wise to 
use as an auxiliary help way be brought into service . 
Tnat is my platform, pure and simple.” 

The leader of the meeting was agitated. He 
impatiently rose to his feet before the last words 
had fallen from the visitor’s lips. 

“Let us use reason, ” he said, with a light vein 
of sarcasm in his voice. “Is it not true that the 
average child sees enough of the Bible in his 
home and in the public schools, and that he 
greatly relishes a change when he comes to the 
Sunday school ?” 

“That’s only too true,” spoke up the worldly 
element who were there in large numbers. 

“Let me assure you,” continued the speaker 
as he was warming to his theme under false fires 
of devilish sopistry, “in the day when the Bible 
was used in the Sunday school classes, spiritual 
ignorance abounded more than now.” 

“Why not be satisfied with rapid advance- 
ment, instead of inviting retrogression in know- 
ledge, and a double decimation in Sunday school 
attendance, by compelling scholars to go searching 
through a book as uninteresting and unfathomable 


154 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

to them as the Bible ?” 

“One great hindrance to Sunday school work 
is its pious and sanctimonious tendency. If the 
schools of the twentieth century are to be success- 
ful, we must have less of that Bible stiffness in 
them, and still more of an open sociability.” 

The worldly element and some of the Sunday 
school teachers were now cheering heartily. But 
the speaker continued : 

“Instead of going to an extreme that means 
death to the Sunday school by advocating that an 
army of cold Bibles should go walking into the 
service, I should rather advocate a change in the 
other direction, for lam even opposed to the tons 
of cheap literature filled with cloudy opinions 
that are now being scattered throughout our 
schools. We need lesson helps that are inter- 
spersed with incidents of adventure, and start- 
ling stories that have fire and life in them. Let 
some publisher take the hint. 

“Then the boy or girl whose daily reading 
may consist of that style of writing will find the 
Sunday school more congenial to his nature, and 
he will go there with a bound. In that manner 
you are certain to win the boy’s heart, after 
which you can, with tact, send the spiritual truth 
deeper into his soul. From such a scholar keep 
the Bible as far as possible. It is not even 
necessary to lay stress o n the fact that the lesson 
text is taken from the Bible. 

“If the teacher can succeed in holding his 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


155 


respect for the Sunday school, then in after 
years, when he is more matured and is better 
able to reasou, you may bring the Bible itself 
more directly to his attention, and you will secure 
better results than are prevalent to-day in the 
Sunday school world.” 

The audience cheered lustily . In this cheer- 
ing Mr. World and his companion joined. The 
visitor, who was deeply grieved at the warm 
reception of such fiendish doctrines, arose to 
speak, but the intolerant cried out : “Away with 
him ! We want no more bigotry and one-hundred 
years-bekind-the-time speeches !” At the sugges- 
tion of the chairman he was hurried from the 
room to appear before a commission on lunacy. 

The speech had its desired effect. The great 
majority of the audience were convinced that the 
Bible was not a ‘drawing card, ’ and that it should 
not be introduced into the class study if it could 
possibly be avoided. A few pledged that they 
would do all in their power to effect a revolution 
in the present system of lesson helps. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left 
this hall and entered Hall No. 9. It was a rare 
privilege for them to walk through the largest 
Sunday school library in the world, where many 
committees were at work selecting books for their 
respective Sunday schools. 

Satan had so ingeniously managed the com- 
position of these books, and so artfully arranged 
them on the endless shelves, that one could 


156 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

scarcely discern the good parts of a book from the 
bad, or determine in which section of the hall the 
largest percentage of good books oould be found. 
In this way committees almost invariably picked 
up considerable chaff with the wheat. 

I looked at Blackanaand sighed: “Oh ! Black- 
ana, how long will these things be? If only a 
conflagration would reduce the contents of thatf, 
hall to ashes !” 

“Ah! mortal, “he coldly replied, “these things 
will never be destroyed, for the building is fire 
proof. Surely the Sunday school should get as 
much of its library as possible from a source so 
well protected.” 

“For what fiendish reason ?“ I asked as I 
was moved with indignati©n. 

“Nothing fiendish about it. Satan can furn- 
ish books at less cost, and thereby be of material 
financial help to the Sunday school. Further- 
more, he is able to furnish a larger variety and 
a more inviting class of books, with more spicy 
fiction, and less of that deadness so generally 
characteristic of the books coming from the hand 
of a narrow-minded Christian.” 

“Silence, thou agent of the Devil ! Thou art 
again dealing in falsehood. When thou speakest 
to me, speak truthfully or hold thy tongue in 
quietness. ” 

He rolled his eyes at me, but spoke no more. 

in the early hours of the following day I saw 
the same two companions enter Hall No. 13 devoted 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


157 


to 11 The Best Literature for a True Christian to Read .” 
They moved leisurely from table to table scan- 
ning and reading the books and booklets which, 
in great variety, lay before them. 

Weariness urged them to a seat in the lecture 
department where they were entertained by a 
scholarly address on ‘'Choice Literature for a Chris- 
tian 

“It must not be forgotten.” said the speaker 
in one part of his address, “that the mind can be 
ruined by lack of vigorous exercise. In the 
physical body the stomach would become weak 
and sickly were it not compelled, quite frequent- 
ly, to digest strong foods or a great variety of 
them. So also the mind, in order to its true 
development, needs a wide variety of thought- 
food. Not alone that of a sickly-sentimental or 
sanctimonious kind, which in its place is all right, 
but such a variety as will best stimulate the mind 
in a well-rounded, liberal education. In particu- 
lar, a good Christian should peruse such litera- 
ture as will inform him thoroughly concerning 
the enemies of Christianity. He should not 
spurn, but rather study infidelity, skepticism 
and every other hostile movement, so that he 
may be able the better to appreciate his own 
position. The Bible is not so much a book for 
reading, as a book of reference, and therefore a 
Christian’s loyalty to Christ must not be measur- 
ed by his reading and studying the Bible, but by 
his success in locating the enemies of the cross 


158 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURGH-MEMBER. 

and studying their designs, looking over their 
encampments, and estimating the strength of 
their weapons. If he becomes thus acquainted 
with the foe, he is in better position to order an 
advance, or to effect a treaty whereby much 
strife may be avoided.” 

Hall No. 16 was next visited and offered to 
its patrons a happy time. Here the work of the 
artist was in pleising evidence. On beautiful 
walls were pictured retreats of all kinds. The 
games and sports, in endless variety, which make 
merry the park, field and glen were the subjects 
of son; e of the paintings. 

These were the titles of some of the larger 
wall paintings: 

“A restful day under the oak. ” 

“The campers at the midday meal.” 

“An hour of idle reading.” 

“Around the camp-fire at night.’ 

“At rest beside the bounding brook.” 

“Along the beach at bathing time. ” 

“The cottage by the sea.” 

Nothing was said about the paintings on the 
wall; they were merely suggestive of the refresh- 
ment that came after toil. 

The lecturer of this hall was a jolly man, an 
athlete of fine proportions whose splendid 
appearance attracted the attention of the throng 
of listeners. 

“We are not here to discuss the good or evil 
which comes from various kinds of recreation,. 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


159 


but to tell you, from experience, what kind of 
reading to take with you when you go on a vaca- 
tion, or a pleasure trip. As you are seeking rest 
for the body so let your religious books have a 
rest. Leave them all at home, except the Bible, 
and prayerbook, — you might take them along to 
be used in case of sickness or accident. Then 
put in your ‘grip’ some humorous books, such as 
will make you merry. Besides these place there- 
in some other very light reading such as will 
rest the mind from the more serious things of 
life. 

“As a father delighteth to see his children 
roam and romp in glee over the meadows after 
the time of faithful toil, so the Heavenly Father 
delighteth to see his true children lay aside the 
seriousness of prayer and Bible study, and go 
forth in joyful rest to the seashore, or to tie quiet 
glen in the fastnesses of the woods. If you fol- 
low these directions, you will get the cream of 
pleasure and profit, and return to your secular or 
religious work with renewed vigor,” 

I saw many ministers of the gospel in the 
audience, but not all seconded the words of the 
speaker. 

Mr. World and his confiding companion were 
surprised after entering Hall No. 27 to find on 
exhibition a copy of all the periodical publications 
of the world. This was a large hall and had sub- 
divisions, each devoted to a distinct class of 
literature. One department contained all non- 


160 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

sectarian religious publications; another the 
sectarian; still a third was devoted to- daily news- 
papers, partisan and non-partisan; yet another 
contained all trade journals; another all the 
scientific periodicals, and thus the plan was con- 
tinued throughout. 

This was the busiest place of all, for some of 
the periodicals had their offices in this hall, wbile 
others had representatives there, so that count- 
less thousands thronged the sub-departments 
daily. Each sub-department had its own corps 
of lecturers. 

Many editors, before entering into active 
service, take the entire series of courses offered 
by this hall, and are thus taught to prevaricate, 
abbreviate, and exaggerate, or do ought else to 
attain the end in view. 

I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
pass by one sub-department after another. They 
were not pleased with the excitement that pre- 
vailed. They had intended however to pause at 
the department devoted especially to the Sunday 
newspaper question, and tarried at the door long 
enough merely to catch these few words from 
one of the speakers: 

“I am a member of the church myself, and 
bear an honorable name therein; but I am unwilling 
to be classed with a set of bigots who would rob us 
of our personal liberties and, if possible, place all 
kinds of restrictive measures about our inalien- 
able rights. I stand for liberty first of all, and 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


161 


tyranny never. Why should one dictate to> me 
what I shall read on Sunday ? I look at my Bible- 
more than one hundred times a year, and read a 
Sunday newspaper only fifty-two times. It was 
a happy change that started the regular press of 
the country to yield seven issues a week, and 
thereby send forth additional rays of enlighten- 
ment to a people who are in sad need of all that 
they can get to increase their intelligence. 

“According to my opinion there are so many 
practices that are worse than reading a Sunday 
newspaper that Satan must surely be annoyed 
to see a man engaged in such a harmless pursuit. 
Happy indeed, would we all be if the ” 

The two companions passed on and heard no 
more, until they left this hall and paid a brief 
visit to Hall No. 38 devoted to “ The Best Way of 
Conducting a Religious Newspaper. ’ ’ 

There were very few editors present, but the 
debate amongst them was vigorous and, at times r 
very contentious, much to the interest and enjoy- 
ment of the spectators. 

The question being discussed was: “ How Can 
We Best Increase the Circulation of the Church 
Paper ?” 

After a free exchange of opinions, the chair* 
man of the meeting advocated, with grave dignity, 
that all religious newspapers should be more 
conformed to the tastes and the level of a hungry 
world. “There is too great a contrast,” said he,, 
“between the mental condition of the laymen and 


162 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

the high, cold tone of the average religious paper. 
Let the editor of a church paper do as did his 
Master Jesus Christ, — come down to the level 
of the world, where he can reach the heart and the 
ear of the common people of whom the masses 
are composed. No paper should be so holy that 
it cannot adapt itself to the development of 
the natural as well as the spiritual part of man. ” 

These remarks were warmly applauded. 

Next an editor of a religious paper arose, and 
spoke with decision: 

“I want to be as liberal and broad-minded as 
God would have me be. I came to this hall with 
doubtful steps. I cannot say that I have profited 
thereby. My mind is at variance with the chair- 
man of this meeting. He says: ‘all religious 
papers should be more conformed to the tastes of 
the hungry world. ’ Let me ask, with all honesty, 
what is the taste of the hungry world ? Is it not 
a terribly perverted taste, a hungering for the 
black sins of death ? I contend that it is the work 
of a good paper to be a beacon light, even though 
it shines from a lofty light-house. It may thereby 
shine out farther and wider. Away with the 
doctrine of devils, that would pervert the truth 
and send with merciless fling ” 

At this juncture the speaker was seized by 
an officer who came running in at the ringing of a 
bell, and arrested the editor on the charge of 
“disturbing the peace,” which, the chairman 
declared, was due to a diseased state of his mind. 


SCHOOLS OF LITERATURE. 


163 


Miss Church-Member was freightened from 
the hall *by. this episode, and was followed by her 
less fearful^companion. 

J 


CHAPTER XIII 


The Devil’s Temperance College* 

1. Mr. World and his companion visit this immense 
college, with many wings, all devoted to teaching every 
phase of the temperance question in accordance with 
Satan’s views. 

2. A yiew of the millions who attend this college. 

UTOMOBILES are used by the agents of 
I C/I Satan to convey students and visitors 
from one college to another of the great 
University of the World. 

I saw Miss Church-Member and her cher- 
ished escort leave the College of Literature in one 
of these up-to-date carriages. 

“Shall we tarry at the athletic field?” asked 
Mr. World as they came to a famous sporting 
ground. 

“Let us rather hasten to the Temperance 
College,” she suggested. But her manner indi- 
cated that she did not wish to urge him away from 
the place of his heart’s desire. 

“Altogether at your pleasure,” he smiled, as 
he sank back into the comfortable cushions of the 
conveyance. 

They soon reached the desired locality, saw 
the moving millions from all portions of the earth* 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 165 

and heard the ceaseless babble of their voices; 
harmonizing with the work of this college which 
was known among the pilgrims of the King’s High- 
way as The Devil's Temperance College. It covered 
many acres of ground, and consisted of many 
immense buildings, around which clustered many 
smaller structures serving for auxiliary purposes. 

When Mr. World and Miss Church- Member 
walked about the college grounds, and saw more 
closely the magnitude and beauty of the edifices, 
they were so overawed that their tongues offered 
no comment. 

They mingled a while with the merry multi- 
tude, and then at one corner of the group entered 
the gigantic building devoted to the subject of 
Temperance and the Bible. They hoped thereby 
to get the consensus of opinion on one of the com- 
plex questions of the day. 

At the bureau of information the two company 
ions were directed to the Public Hall of Debate 
which they reached by the aid of one of the nu- 
merous electric elevators. The Great Hall had an 
auditoiium of one hundred feet in height and a 
seating capacity fully capable of accommodating^ 
the visiting multitudes. The acoustics were so 
perfect that one, at the farther end of the room^ 
could easily hear the speaker on the stage. 

When Mr. World and his friend had entered 
the hall they were surprised to learn that many of 
the auditors were members of the more radical 
churches along the King’s Highway, 


166 MR. WORLD AN - D MESS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

The corps of high titled professors who occu- 
pied the stage spoke at intervals, or answered 
questions which were propounded by persons in 
the audience. 

Over the stage I saw in illuminated letters: 

TEMPERANCE AND THE BIBLE. 

An aged man was speaking when the two com- 
rades took seats near the center of the room. 

“We are not here,” explained the venerable 
man, “to prove that the Bible is false or true. We 
leave that question for other schools to decide. 
It is our province to show what the Bible teaches 
on this important theme. Temperance is a word 
so misused and so abused that it becomes peo- 
ple of sound judgment to go to the rock bottom 
of the question as viewed in the light of Scripture. ’’ 

Then adjusting his green spectacles, the 
speaker opened the Bible and offered to explain, 
or to have explained, any part of it that bore on 
the subject of “Temperance from a Bible Stand- 
point.” 

A breathless silence followed until a moderate- 
drinking church- member arose with Bible in hand- 
“Did Christians, during the life of Christ, drink 
wine ?” he asked, in a self-righteous manner. 

The speaker called upon the wine expert who 
quickly stepped forward from his chair on the 
stage. 

“There can be no doubt,” he affirmed, “but 
that they drank wine freely. They knew enough 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 167 

in that day not to discard a good thing.” 

Hundreds of people sprang to their feet, but 
Mr. Venerable ordered that one should speak at a 
time and that they all should be seated and first 
listen to the questioner. 

“Was that wine the same, in kind, that Noah 
drank, as related in Gen. 9: 21?” 

“Identical.” 

“And the same that is used to-day in the com- 
mercial world ?” 

“It is the same as the good wine that is used 
today. There are many modern adulterations.” 

The questioner took his seat. A man from 
London then obtained the floor. He also held a 
Bible as he spoke. 

“I am a temperance worker in one of the dis- 
tricts of London, and would like to know whether 
you conclude by your former assertion concerning 
the early Christians that the Bible does not speak 
against wine drinking?” 

“Not in a single place. How could it do so 
consistently?” answered the Devil’s expert. 

“Will you please turn toProv. 20: 1. ‘Wine is 
a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever 
is deceived thereby is not wise. ’ How do you har- 
monize this passage with what you have just as- 
serted?” The man from London sat down. 

“Quite an easy task for one who has given 
honest study to the question,” said Mr. Wine 
Expert. “Wine is a mocker. Just as wisdom mocks 
at the calamity of those who reject it in Prov. 1: 


1-68 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


26. So, wine, personified in a similar manner, 
mocks at the folly of those who refuse it. (Ap- 
plause.) Strong drink is raging. Just as in 
Jonah 1: 15, the sea was raging in protest against 
Jonah because he refused to preach the truth to 
the people. So in this passage, ‘strong drink is 
raging,’ because so many church-members and 
ministers refuse to preach the real truth to the 
people on the subject of strong drink. (Pro- 
longed applause.) If there w T ere as much said 
against me false’y, as has been spoken against 
strong drink, I would not only rage, but would go 
raging and foaming over this stage in protest. 
(Tremendous applause, and shouting from the peo- 
ple of the world.) I tel) you more, my friends, 
strong drink will keep on raging as long as old 
Voices and The New Voice’ of cranks and idiots 
are heard to squeak out their childish nonsense 
to an enli ghtened people. ’ ’ (Furious applause and 
demonstrations.) 

“The lastpart of the passage is easily to be un- 
derstood, ’’continued the speaker. “ ‘Whosoever is 
deceived thereby is not wise.’ How could a per - 
son be wise who allows himself to be deceived and 
hoodwinked concerning as good a thing as wine or 
strong drink?” 

“Nobody, w 7 e need not fear, ’’cried out a brewer 
from one side of the room. 

‘ There is however a host, ’ ’ continued Mr. Wine 
Expert, “who are woefully deceived, and who are 
^endeavoring to force their deceptions upon the 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 169 
state. ” 

“And I am one of them,” shouted a tall man 
from Kansas, U. S. A., as he violently jumped to 
his feet, and remained standing. 

“I would suggest, ’’calmlyinterrupted the ven- 
erable leader, “chat our special photographer take 
a snap shot of this man. We are always glad to 
keep a record of such monstrosities. He looks 
like a fair specimen of a deceived man. (Laughter. ) 
He is lean and bony, and if a ny one of you never 
before saw such a man, take a full view of him now. 
Suppose you,” he said, as he continued pointing 
at the Kansas man, “slowly make a full revolution 
on your feet so that each one can here see all sides 
of you. — if you have more than one side. ” (Great 
applause amongst the people of the world.) 

The man from Kansas stood still till the voice 
of the insulting outcry died away. 

“I can stand abuse; I can stand irony and sar- 
casm; but I thank God that where I live I need 
no longer endure the presence of the Rum Devil. . 
(Suppressed applause.) If Mr, Venerable thinks 
I am the only man present who comes under his 
classification of ‘deceived persons,’ I will demon- 
strate to him his folly, for there are many thou- 
sands here who have not yet bowed the knee to 
Baal.” 

“Out of order!” “Put him out!” “Away with 
him!” came from the audience. 

“If there is a person here opposed to the Rum 
Traffic, let him rise,” fearlessly continued the tall 


170 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


man. 

Up sprang a W. C. T. U. leader; then another 
person; Ihen a hundred from Maine; yea, a thou- 
sand more until over seven thousand, from all 
parts of the world, stood on their feet. 

“Remain standing, I ask you! Let not one of 
you act the coward ! There are others here to day, 
who came in, as I did, to visit. Stand up, show 
your colors! If you remain seated you will be 
classed with the enemy. The time to honor your 
cause is at hand. I ask you seventy thousand 
church-members present to choose this day whom 
you will serve. ” 

Mr. Venerable, who was an experienced man 
in these uprisings, whispered to an excited saloon- 
keeper: “Let them proceed. Every house divided 
against itself shall not stand.” 

“I demand order,” shouted a high*licease ad- 
vocate who owned a brewery, but the agitated 
fellow was soon calmed by these personal words 
from the venerable chairman: “Let these people go. 
They will soon get into factional contention and thereby 
break the point of their steel more effectually than we 
could do it. ” 

“Remain standing, ye noble band of men and 
women!” shouted the Kansas man with increasing 
earnestness. “You, who are too cowardly or in- 
different to rise from your seats, are throwing 
your influence this day on the side of the enemy, 
thereby casting a reflection on the church of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, and ” 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 


171 


This was more than a certain minister could 
bear. So, before the Kansas man had finished his 
last sentence, he sprang excitedly to his feet and 
shook his fist defiantly: “I want it distinctly un- 
derstood that I am just as good as the man from 
Kansas, and just as much of a temperance man, 
but I don't believe in this way of showing my col- 
ors. I would not be standing now had I not been 
insulted more by that crank of one idea, standing 
there, than by Mr. Wine Expert who so contempt- 
ibly perverted Scripture.” 

Mr. Wine Expert sprang to the edge of the 
stage to defend his position, but Mr. Venerable 
was instantly at his side. “Come, come, don't spoil 
that light; suffer rather than have them combine against 
you," were the quiet words of logic that brought 
him to his seat without uttering a word. 

Then up jumped a few prominent church- 
members to express their indignation at the ad- 
verse criticism of the Kansas man. 

“Those are exactly my sentiments, and I here 
offer my protest against this manner of proced- 
ure,” said one as he looked approvingly at the 
minister. 

“And so do I.” “I am most emphatically of 
the same opinion. ” “I stand here, a true temper- 
ance man, to express my indignation at that Kan- 
sas prodigy,” were some of the expressions which 
came from temperance men who were not willing 
to be classed with the seven thousand. 

Then upwards of one hundred women rose to 


172 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

their feet, and indignantly rebuked the Kansas 
man for his mis judgment in starting this factional 
display. 

This provoked some radical leaders of the W. 
C. T. U., who chanced to be there as detectives or 
visitors. They also arose in defense of the Kan- 
sas man. 

I saw the tumult rising. Disorder was pre- 
dominant. Hundreds tried to speak at once. 
Saloon keepers, brewers, whisky politicians, and 
the professors on the stage were smiling in ghoul- 
ish glee. They enjoyed it more than a prize fight, 
and the results were at once more disastrous and 
more deplorable. 

As the conflict waxed hotter some men and 
women were screaming, and some fainting, and 
some resorted to blows. Others scrambled to get 
from the room. The elevators were put in quick 
service, and I saw Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member, with thousands of others, running from 
the scene of the fight. 

“Let us go to another building,” suggested 
Miss Church-Member. 

A very short time after this I saw them enter 
the largest building of all the Temperance College. 
It stood centrally amongst the great group, and 
was devoted to “Hygiene and Temperance 

After learning that they came as visitors, a 
director advised them to pass the many medical 
wings on separate flats and go to the great audi- 
torium on one of the higher floors. 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 


173 


Proceeding, in obedience to the advice given, 
they soon beheld a room of greater size and magni- 
ficence than the one which they had just left, and 
as they were taking seats they fixed their atten- 
tion on the lecturer who had already been speak- 
ing for an hour. He was discoursing on the rela- 
tion of strong drink to the stomach. 

“It must be remembered, ’’ affirmed he, “that 
the stomach was made to serve man. The appe- 
tite is the true criterion by which he may know 
what his body needs. If he feels a thirst for alco- 
holic drink, it is akin to a hunger for any special 
class of foods. He is not to ask his servant, the 
stomach, whether it is willing to do the work of 
transformation. He is to give it the work to do. 
The stomach will do it, unless that particular di- 
gestive function is lost. It is claimed by some 
who know more about ditch-digging than about 
physiology, that alcoholic beverages ruin the lin- 
ing of the stomach, creating ulcers, and other dis- 
orders. This kind of teaching reminds me of a 
conundrum. -'Why is a scientific temperance man 
like a dead man in his coffin?’ Who can answer it?” 

“Because each one ought to be buried, ” guess- 
ed a liquor-merchant from Paris. (Laughter.) 

“A good guess,” said the speaker, but you 
have not yet hit the mark.” 

“Because needer von dem is vert anyding.” 
said the proprietor of a beer-saloon from Germany. 
(Increased laughter.) 

“You are still away from my idea,” spoke the 


174 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 
lecturer. 

“I know it,” said a rum-lawyer. ‘‘It is be- 
cause they both lie. ” (Applause.) 

‘ ‘That’s exactly the truth of the matter. These 
so-called ‘scientific temperance men’ are account- 
able for more lies, imposed on a credulous public, 
than can be corrected for many years to come. 
Any sensible man knows that moderate drinking 
is healthful to the stomach. If a man drinks too 
much, he is liable to trouble, just like a man who 
eats too much, or sleeps too much, or even talks 
too much about temperance. (Applause and laugh- 
ter.) I tell you, my good friends, a little of that 
elixir of life is just as good for my stomach as it 
was for Timothy’s, and the good man Paul would 
say the same thing if he were here today. (Cries 
from the world of ‘‘that’s so!” anl “hurrah for 
Paul!”) I am satisfied to have a great man like 
Paul on my side, even if I must know that some of 
his pigmy disciples are against me. (Increased 
applause.) 

This speech was especially enjoyed by Mr. 
World who himself was addicted to a moderate use 
of alcoholic beverages. 

An announcement came from the platiorm 
that in one hour the eminent Dr. Strauss of Europe 
would discourse on “The Effect of Malt Liquors on 
the Heart, ’’and those who wished to remain might 
spend the interim in social intercourse. 

In consequence of this announcement the ma- 
jor part of the audience dispersed in varying 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 


175 


groups, and discussed the merits of the lecture 
just ended. 

Every creed was there represented by a few 
or more of its members, many of whom were favor- 
ably and deeply impressed by the argument of the 
Devil as it was given in the address. 

Others I saw, not a few, who laid bare this in- 
iquitous scheme of presenting the untruth, and 
declared that thev would no more give ear to any 
teaching that came from that source. 

This gave rise to endless quib’olings and con- 
tentions between church-members of the same 
faith and those of separate creeds. These dis- 
putes continued with increasing bitterness until 
the hour had elapsed. 

All eyes were fixed upon the stage as the 
portly Dr. Strauss arose to speak. His voice at 
first was slow and deep, and in all he was the per- 
sonification of dignity. 

The first part of his lecture was a very con- 
vincing argument in favor of what is called the 
“ Normal Use of Malt Liquors . ” He declared that 
moderate drinking could have no evil effect on the 
action of the heart, except in rare cases. To prove 
his general statement and to win the confidence of 
his hearers, he quoted over forty printed and 
written extracts from eminent physicians of the 
world. 

After this general survey of his argument, he 
entered into details and illustrated the second di- 
vision of his lecture by the use of pictorial charts. 


176 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

In this manner the construction and action of the 
heart were concretely shown. 

In the third division of the lecture the Prince 
of Darkness showed his skill in manipulating the 
utterances of the speaker. By a second series of 
illustrated charts the lecturer intended to show 
how alcoholic beverages, in coursing through the 
human system, benefited the heart rather than in- 
jured it. In trying to establish this point he used 
the subtile sophistry of Satan. 

Through the three divisions of the discourse I 
heard vigorous applause, and when, in the smooth 
language of his final climax, he uttered the last 
word, and was returning to his seat, there was«a 
deafening roar from all parts of the vast hall. 

To the mind of Miss Church-Member the ar- 
gument of Dr. Strauss was unanswerable, and 
consequently she was obliged to revise her radi- 
cal opinions on the temperance question, and not 
only she, but a host of others from the ranks of 
the Christian church were influenced similarly. 

After leaving this hall the happy pair spent a 
long time in passing through some of the other 
buildings of the group. Miss Church- Member was 
so filled with the doctrines of the Devil that she thought 
of going as a missionary to the pilgrims of the Narrow 
Way. 

During their visit at the Temperance College 
Mr. World conducted his ever-faithful friend 
through some of the fashionable temperance-sa- 
loons connected with the institution. 


THE DEVIL’S TEMPERANCE COLLEGE. 


m 


Miss Church-Member would not have entere d 
and much less indulged in the questionable bever- 
ages had she not been so strongly influenced by 
the prolonged visit at the section of the group 
devoted to the study of “ Temperate and Intem- 
perate Drinks. ” 

I was sorely vexed at the operations of this 
whole college and looking at Blackana I spoke im- 
patiently: 

•‘Bow can your comrades find delight in such 
an impish work — covering truth and scattering 
hellish sophistry abroad?” 

‘ ‘Delight?” repeated Blackana. ‘ ‘This world is 
but the Devil’s Heaven, and those of his kingdom 
find chief est delight in thorns, and not in flowers;, 
in spinning sophistry, and not in dead things like 
truth and logic. ” 


CHAPTER XIV. 


Infernal School System 


1. A general view of the vast University of the 
World with all its subordinate operations. All working 
in harmony to destroy the good that God would do in the 
world. 

HE University of the World is so extensive 



that one could not visit all its parts dur- 


ing the course of a life-time, but there is 
a place called the Magic Observatory whence an 
observer can have a bird’s-eye view of all the 
principal scholastic operations of the Broad High- 


way. 


The Observatory is owned and controlled by 
careful agents of Satan, who will allow only cer- 
tain persons to get the benefit of so extensive a 
view. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member left the 
ground of the Temperance College and proceed- 
ed to get permission to rise to the glorious 
heights of the Observatory. Mr. World secured 
permission, but his companion, not having had 
sufficient experience in the service of Satan, was 
refused a pass. 

The difficulty was settled by a happy thought. 
Miss Church-Member suggested that while he 


INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. 


179 


should improve the opportunity and rise to see 
the sights, she would visit the College of Fash- 
ions, for which privilege she had been yearning. 

1 saw that Mr. World spent a long time in 
viewing the endless proportions of the noted 
Observatory, and finally stood on the lofty view- 
point with an interpreter at his side. 

He was then directed to a seat on a mechan- 
ical device that moved in a circle; and as he sat 
there he looked through the powerful glasses of 
the immense telescope. 

He first beheld the Schools of the Fine Arts, 
with their myriad students who swarmed through 
a group of buildings so large that it corered the 
first sweep of the telescope. 

At the next turn of the magic device Mr. 
World saw the Special Schools of Mathematics, 
whose prevalent tendency was to destroy faith. 
Here the mind of each student was taught to sub- 
mit everything to the tests of, proof, so that by 
the time one’s training was finished he would be- 
lieve only what could be scientifically demonstrat- 
ed. In this way Satan induced many a student 
to disregard the Bible because he could not re- 
duce its teachings to the cold and rigid rules of 
human reasoning. 

Thus does Satan manipulate affairs, so that 
many of the Christian schools of the earth have 
imbibed a similar course: first exalting Reason, 
and doing nothing to correspondingly develop in 
the student the functions of Faith. 

K 


180 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

When the telescope again turned Mr. World 
saw the Schools of Metaphysics, where Satan 
operated in harmony with the limitless scheme of 
the whole University. 

Next the College of Theology came within the 
range of vision. Here the clergymen of the 
Broad Highway are prepared to teach the doc- 
trines of Hell under the guise of ‘‘Broad-Minded 
Theology.” I envied not Mr. World’s position, 
for I could also see what his wondering eyes be- 
held. As I took a transient view of this vast 
group of Theological Halls, and saw how many 
human beings resorted thither for information, I 
could the better understand why the world is 
kept so full of perverted truth. There is a daily 
inflow of Ecclesiastics into this College, even 
such as become dissatisfied with the Theology 
as taught on the Highway of the King. 

At the next turn of the telescope Mr. World 
saw the immense Business College whither so 
large a number of merchants go to learn how to 
advertise, and also how to get rich quickly. One 
hall alone is set apart for the purpose of teaching 
a merchant how to practice fraud without injur- 
ing his good standing in the church; another 
hall teaches how far a business man may venture 
into prevarication without lying; while a still 
larger hall is devoted to the wholesale trade, and 
is intended to teach the best methods of adulter- 
ating foods while yet allowing them to be sold for 
genuine goods. 


INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. 


181 


Mr. World was deeply interested in the view 
afforded by the next turn of the telescope, for the 
magnificent groups of buildings comprising the 
College of Fashions now lay before his admiring 
vision. He knew that his beloved friend was 
somewhere amongst the moving throngs that 
ever kept the College asiir. 

I looked in wonderment upon the far-reach- 
ing operations of this Satanic center. The teach- 
ings of this College were so far-reaching that the 
seeds of endless follies were planted in the gene- 
rations unborn. 

In one of the larger halls of this imposing 
group I saw an endless and popular vaiiety of 
the gods of Fashion. They were worshiped by 
the slavish legions who were willing to sacrifice 
their all rather than forsake their chosen idols. 

Mr. World plainly saw the connection be- 
tween this College of Fashions and the Devil’s 
Pawn Shop . 

The next item in the weird program was 
the Devil’s Optical College which Mr. World and 
Miss Church-Member had visited in the earlier 
days of their companionship. Satan’s Medical 
Schools also lay in the same line of vision, and 
were intimately connected with the Devil’s Hos- 
pital which had numberless branches in all parts 
of the world . 

And next the vast College of Literature flash- 
ed before the admiring eyes of Mr. World. As 
seen through the telescope this section present- 


182 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

ed a most beautiful picture. 

The surface Schools of Law next attracted 
the attention of the spectator who was surprised 
to get so large a view of these operations. 

Mr. World still moved in the magic circle, 
and saw the whole program as revealed at the 
angle at which the telescope was inclined. When 
the first circle was completed, the telescope 
dropped to a new angle and started on its second 
revolution, disclosing to the observer a new world 
of schools, all of which were also comprehended 
in the University of the World. 

The Missionary College proved to be an inter- 
esting sight, as did also the Devil’s Temperance 
College. 

One of the most surprising sights that greet- 
ed Mr. World in this second revolution was 
Satan’s Modern College of Narcotics, which is a 
series of schools, built and operated with great 
care, intended to counteract the special efforts 
ever being put forth by the devotees of the 
King’s Highway to teach the relations of narcotics 
to the nervous system. Formerly Satan did this 
branch of work in one of the wings of the Tem- 
perance College, but on account of the great 
stress put 'on this subject by the Surpassing 
Schools of the Christ, Satan has built this modern 
institution, and now the church is in confusion 
because so many of its members have such an indis- 
tinct vision that they cannot discern between the wool 
of the sheep and the hair of the icolf even lohen each 


INFERNAL SCHOOL SYSTEM. 183 

animal is ivearing its own hide . 

The most mysterious schools revealed by 
this second revolution were called the Schools of 
Emergency. These required the skill of the 
interpreters to give Mr, World an idea of their 
work. 

This is also a modern idea of the Evil One, and 
since their erection the schools have been patron- 
ized by an astonishingly large number of dis- 
appointed church-members who receive instruc- 
tion more readily from the modern methods here 
in vogue than from the old-time system. 

Then did Mi. World behold a new line of 
schools in course of building, but the interpreter 
refused to give him satisfaction when he asked 
the purpose of these new schools. 

When the great telescope had finished the 
second revolution, Mr. World was surprised to 
see that it commenced on the third round as the 
outer end of the telescope pointed more directly 
toward the base of the Observatory. 

Startling scenes were now laid bare. The 
underground schools of this G-reat University 
seemed to be greater than the surface operations. 

Mr. World first saw the Opium Schools, built 
in the form of large dens. After this came the 
Schools of Iniquity, operated in darkness. Here 
all forms of evil are taught and made to appear 
justifiable under certain conditions. Many of 
these underground schools could not be clearly 
seen by Mr. World, but ere the telescope com- 


184 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

pleted its third revolution he saw the Schools of 
Suicide more distinctly than during his visit, 
and got a glimpse of the limitless Law Depart- 
ments Underground, and the terrible pictures of 
sadness and sin as seen beneath the Devil’s Hos- 
pital. 

Mr. World raised his eyes from the telescope 
and looked towards the interpreter: “What lies 
beyond those vast elevations ?” he asked as he 
pointed to a rugged mountain range farther down 
the Broad Highway. 

“Back of those mountains lies the beautiful 
Wizard City, shut in from all the world. Ask 
nothing more about it.” 

“But may I not enter it ?” 

“Not unless you are fortunate enough to dis- 
cover one of the paths that lead to the Summit. 
From thence one can see the City.” 


CHAPTER XV. 

Expert Inventors of the Broad Highway. 


1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member fail to see 
the Ways and Means committee at work. 

2. They are directed to the city where expert inven- 
tors are constantly employed in devising weapons and all 
kinds of devices. 

3. They see a few inventions which are just being 
perfected to facilitate the services of the churches along 
the King’s Highway. 

FTER Mr. World’s remarkable experien- 
f 1 LSI ces on the Observatory, he gladly call' 
ed for his friend, Miss Church-Member, 
who accompanied him on another branch of the 
Mountain Trolley. 

They alighted at a station called Progress, 
and proceeded on the Broad Highway. Neither 
of them became wearied in listening to the ex- 
periences of the other during their brief separa- 
tion. 

Ere long they came to a large hall which was 
used by the Ways and Means Committee of the 
Broad Highway. 

They obtained permission to visit the interior 
of the hall, hoping thereby to see the famous 
committee in session. 

But, after being escorted from room to room 
by a guide, they were informed, upon reaching 


186 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

the main auditorium, that the committee was 
holding a secret session, and that no visitors 
w T ould be allowed to enter during that day. 

“How soon will visitors be admitted ?” asked 
Mr. World, with a shade of disappointment in his 
tone. 

“Not until the matter now under consider- 
ation is settled. It may be two hours, perhaps 
two days,” was the indefinite reply. 

“And where can we spend the interim with 
most profit and kiterest?” further interrogated 
Mr. World. 

The guide, looking through a window, de- 
scribed a path leading to a lofty summit. “When 
you reach that elevation,” explained he, “you will 
see, in the busy vale beyond, the Wizard City. 

“Most of the experiments performed in that 
wondrous vale are closed forever from the view 
of mortal man; but so much of the work as you are 
allowed to see will interest you for many days.” 

“In my opinion such a privilege is greater 
than the one w T e are here denied, ” smilingly spoke 
Miss Church-Member. 

“True indeed, my friend, unless the climbing 
of the hill should prove to be a more arduous task 
than you imagine,” cautioned Mr. World. 

“Each of you will be pleasantly surprised,” 
promptly affirmed the guide, “for they only can 
climb to that summit who do so willingly, and by 
them it is easily accomplished.” 

“Is there no shorter way thither than by that 




. See page 109. 


The Wizard City 




EXPERT INVENTORS. 


189 


winding path ?” slowly asked Mr. World. 

5 ‘There is bnt one shorter route, and that is 
underground. No one is permitted to go that 
wav until he has passed the summit and has 
reached the seventh degree in the secret service 
of our Master.” 

“Ah ! so there is an underground connection 
between this place and the Expert Inventors ?” 
said Miss Church-Member in a low Tone, and 
with a look of suspicion. 

“Be not in the least alarmed. The Ways and 
Means Committee, and the Expert Inventors 
work in harmony, each supplementing the work 
of the other. It is therefore essential that be- 
tween them there be as close connection as possi- 
ble, not only for convenience of travel but to in- 
sure secrecy. ” 

“Then why are the two places so far apart ?” 
queried Miss Church-Member. 

“Everything is perfectly arranged. If you 
could see the underground world between the 
two sites you would readily observe the logical 
relation of all parts. But the bell rings; I must 
go,” continued the guide. “If you wish further 
information you may obtain it at the office,” and 
with a courteous bow he withdrew. 

That same day I saw the two travelers climb 
with ease to the summit from whence they be- 
held the most curious sight that had yet met 
their gaze since their fellowship had begun. 

Down in the long and deep sloping vale be- 


190 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 

fore them, shut in from all the world, lay a large 
^city of fantastic structures. 

The weird outlines of this marvelous city ex- 
tended downward into the darkness of the earth, 
while the height of its buildings varied from the 
common even unto the amazing. 

The form of the city, and the shape of its 
buildings, were the most bizarre features of all. 
Only a few of the edifices bore resemblance to 
any which the travelers had ever before seen. 

Toward one end of the city they saw a cluster 
of buildifigs which, taken as a whole, resembled 
a gigancic tree towering to a great height. 

At the other end of the city the structures 
were divided into more than a hundred groups, 
resembling somewhat variously-shaped balloons 
of monster size. 

The sides of the city were constructed some- 
what after the manner of immense Ferris wheels, 
of amazing diameter. The compartments therein 
actually moved up or down according to the range 
of vision desired by the Inventors m their ex- 
perimenting. 

The centra] part of the city was the most 
notable of all. Here, with an average diameter of 
ten hundred feet, rose a circular structure taper- 
ing irregularly until it settled to a point six thou- 
sand feet in the air. Around this, as a center, 
ranged terraces, hanging gardens, aerial boule- 
vards, and spiral electric railways. 

After viewing this wonderful valley for many 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


191 


hours, the companions took one of the perfected 
automobiles and covered the long gradual descent 
to a depth of ten thousand feet perpendicular. 

As they neared the base, I looked at Black- 
ana, and asked: “How long have those Schools 
of Invention been in operation ?” 

“Since the creation of man.” 

“What is the real purpose of their existence?” 

“To invent devices and weapons helpful to 
our cause in peace or war, and more particularly 
to concoct new schemes for the use of the church- 
es along the King’s Highway and the Way of the 
World.” 

“Oh ! that the earth might see all this foul in- 
wardness, and discern aright the bland decep- 
tion with which those subtile plots are executed!” 

A Santanic smile covered the features of 
Blackana as he assured me that the earth does 
know of these things, and has known of them 
for ages, but is too well pleased with them to offer 
serious opposition. 

In disgust I turned from Blackana and saw 
that Mr. World and Miss Church-Member had 
reached the suburbs of the Wizard City where 
they read this unexpected notice over a large 
brazen gate: 

NONE ADMITTED, EXCEPT THEY TO WHOM 
THE PORTER OPENETH. 

“Ah ! all our toil may be in vain,” sighed 
Miss Church-Member. 


192 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

They stood for a brief time in a quandary, 
discussing how one may know whether or not the 
Porter will open the gate. Finally the stalwart 
Porter approached them and spoke: ' “With what 
motive and for what purpose would ye enter ?” 

Mr. World, with native tact, was ready with 
an answer: “I am in full sympathy with the work 
done in this city and have with me my friend 
who is still a member of a church standing along 
the King’s Highway.” 

The Porter advanced with graceful bearing, 
and bowed to Miss Church-Member. “Per- 
chance,” said he, “you have come to receive some 
new ideas for the benefit of the church?” 

“You have surmised it,” she blushingly re- 
plied. “The church to which I belong is sadly 
behind the age in its methods of work. I am 
hoping that the inventive genius of this city can 
give me some features new and attractive, that 
I may, in my missionary work, help to introduce 
them into antiquated churches.” 

“Yours is a worthy mission,” politely said 
the Porter, “and I herewith hand you a card 
which w r ill admit both of you into the department 
of the city, number seven hundred and seventy- 
seven.” 

Instantly the gate flew wide open, and the 
happy couple passed through joyfully. They 
walked by the many fairy-like buildings, closing 
their eyes to all the special scenes so that they 
might give their first attention to the department 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


193 


indicated by the Porter. 

With little difficulty they found the place de- 
sired, and handed the card to a curator who con- 
ducted them to the general manager. 

“I infer, by this card,” ^aid the manager, 
“that you are hoping to find some new schemes 
to facilitate the work and service of the church.” 

“That is our aim,” answered Miss Church- 
Member. 

“I am glad that you are so ambitious to keep 
apace with the times. In this marvelous age of 
mechanism all things are done by devices and 
machinery, and the church that would keep step 
with the spirit of progress must also be run by 
mechanism. The services of such a congregation 
should be controlled by a rigid methodical law, 
so that everything will move like clock-work. 
The church of to-day, in its movement towards 
form and ceremony, is approaching the highest 
laws of universal harmony. This hopeful tend- 
ency is most helpful to the soul of man and most 
pleasing to God.” 

“Just my idea exactly, ” chimed in Mr. World. 
“The churches along the King’s Highway are 
stubbornly fighting these modern improvements. 
They are very slow in catching up with the spirit 
of the age. Does that not seem true, Miss 
Church-Member ?” 

“1 must confess I see it more clearly now 
than ever. Nature is run by unerring, unchange- 
able law; why should not all spiritual operations 


194 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

come under the same principle ? Formality, after 
all, is the highest point to be reached.” 

“Your mind easily grasps the truth, I per- 
ceive.’’ responded the manager. “What can 
bring things into better form than to get as much 
machinery as possible into church worship ? In 
this building a thousand experts are constantly 
employed in devising and perfecting mechanical 
arrangements to facilitate the services of the 
church. Perhaps you would be pleased to see 
some results of our work by passing through 
some of the sub-departments ?” 

“For my part,” replied Miss Church-Mem- 
ber, “I am more than passingly interested in 
these things, and if Mr. World does not object to 
accompany us, I will be grateful to improve this 
opportunity to look upon your work.” 

After completing preliminary arrangements 
I saw the manager conduct his two visitors on 
the easy running elevator to the floor which was 
devoted especially to singing. 

“As it is your wish,” said the manager, “to 
see the latest, we will not tarry at these lesser 
rooms, but proceed immediately to the corner of 
the chief experts where I will be pleased to show 
to you the best novelty on this floor.” 

They walked down the long room, passing on 
each side of the aisle one set of busy workers af- 
ter another. They stopped at one of the far cor- 
ners and beheld, in advance, the latest novelty to 
be used for singing in church service. 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


195 


It was an artificial woman, neatly attired and 
filled with a complicated mechanism so construct- 
ed that when certain electric keys were touched 
by the unseen operator, articulate sounds like 
unto a human voice issued forth, while the ex- 
pression of the whole face, and the natural-like 
heaving of the breast, all moved in harmony with 
the artificial sounds. The invention so much re- 
sembled a living creature of beauty that Miss 
Church-Member at first thought it was really hu- 
man. 

Mr. World was so well pleased with the nov- 
elty that he unconsciously seated himself upon a 
couch and looked on in amazement. The beauty 
of the female form attracted his attention as 
much as the voice that pealed forth bewitchinglv 
from the lips. 

“The greatest thing in the world !” he sail 
after a period of ecstatic silence. “The church 
that gets such a singer into its choir will have a 
packed house at every service.” 

“I never so much as dreamed of such a thing 
before. Have any of the churches yet tried the 
experiment?” wonderingly asked Miss Church- 
Member. 

“The time has not yet come,” replied the 
manager. “Our experts have been perfecting 
this fine piece of mechanism for many years, but 
it is not yet quite satisfactory. We shall con- 
tinue until; it is well-nigh perfect. In the mean- 
time we are trying to prepare the way so- that the 


196 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

people will gladly receive such an addition to 
their church machinery. It is our intention to 
be able to supply angelettes. (for that is the name 
by which this invention will be known) of any 
size, and with apparel suitable for any special 
and ordinary occasion of church worship. The 
angelette is to be so perfected that it will render 
vocal music without a break. That will be a 
happy day when people can worship God without 
singing themselves hoarse or without being an- 
noyed by the discords so prevalent in congre- 
gational and choir singing and, moreover, have 
none of the evil effects that come from choir 
quarrels. 

“I can plainly see, ” commented Miss Church- 
Member as they moved toward another floor, 
“that the church is only in the morning twilight 
of its progress. The winders of to-day will pale 
into insignificance at the coming of the greater 
things.” 

They dropped to a lower floor and stepped 
from the elevator. 

“This floor is devoted to the ‘Order of Church 
Service’ ” explained the manager. “It is indeed 
surprising to see what a variety of devices are 
here suggested to get the churches to pin them- 
selves down to a fixed law of service in such a 
way that all else must bend to it or appear ridicu- 
lous. Some churches, claiming to be led by the 
Spirit, are constantly out of order. One cannot 
even imagine what is coming next. That is a 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


197 


foolish, haphazard way of conducting a religious 
service. We are doing all we can to correct these 
errors. I will take you at once to the expert’s 
room and let you see the latest piece ox mechan- 
ism which we hope very soon to offer for public 
use.” 

Far out in one end of the building I saw the 
three enter a room where men were busily en- 
gaged at work. 

“Will you kindly show to these two visitors 
the workings of your new invention called the 
‘Service Regulator,’ ” requested the manager as 
he looked at the chief inventor. 

A large curtain was raised and there it hung. 
No larger than a family clock. The inventor 
opened a door of the Regulator, and carefully ex- 
plained its works. He called their attention, 
especially, to a roll of blackboard canvass that 
passed from an upper to a lower cylinder when 
the Regulator was running. 

1 heard the inventor, in explaining, use these 
words: “The minister arranges the program 
in advance and then marks the whole order of 
service on the canvass roll, allowing as much 
time for each part of the service as he thinks 
proper. The canvass is then replaced and the 
Regulator hung on the wall. When the minute 
comes to commence services, the Regulator is 
wound with a key and it starts to run. The can- 
vas, in passing down at a fixed rate, informs the 
congregation of every change in the service, just 


L 


198 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

as it had been previously planned.” 

“What think you of it?” asked thp manager, 
after the partial explanation. 

“I do not believe that the church of the King’s 
Highway to which I belong could use it. It 
would tend only to confusion,” said Miss Church- 
Member. 

“Only till they become accustomed to it,” ex- 
plained the inventor. “After a few weeks of use 
its value would be demonstrated. Then the con- 
gregation would not part with it under any con- 
sideration. You see, Miss Church-Member,” he 
continued as he offered them easy chairs, “there 
would be a definite time to close the service. The 
Regulator would move with the precision of a 
clock, and nobody would complain about the 
preacher speaking too long, for he would stop at 
a fixed time. It is so arranged that a little bell 
rings five minutes in advance of the time to stop 
preaching. It is sometimes a great satisfaction 
for the hearer to know when the sermon is nearly 
ended, and the Regulator would be a blessed boon 
to some preachers who find it difficult to stop talk- 
ing after they get ‘warmed up,’ as they call it.” 

“How beautiful the thought that the bells of 
the Regulator would call the congregation to 
prayer, and a bell bid the time to change the de- 
votion from prayer to song. You must not for- 
get that this device is intended to educate the 
minister, choir, and congregation to a fine degree 
of accuracy in all their public devotions. See 


EXPERT INVENTORS. 


199 


what opportunity this device offers for the dis- 
play of ingenuity and tact on the part of a minis- 
ter! He can, on the blank spaces, have a few pic- 
tures drawn, which will be interesting to child- 
ren who cannot comprehend his sermon, or to an 
adult who loses the thread of the discourse. 
Does it not seem like a good thing for the church ?” 
he asked, as he turned his gaze upon Miss 
Church -Member. 

“It seems more and more that way, and no 
doubt it will prove helpful if it gets a fair trial. 
How does it suit your fancy ?” she inquired of 
Mr. World.- 

“It seems to me that all churches that know 
a good thing when they see it will get it at any 
cost. It just meets my idea exactly. I like to 
see things done decently and in order in the 
church. It always makes me nervous to get into 
a church where enthusiasm runs away with the 
meeting. It makes me feel somewhat as if I 
were m a trolley car that is running down grade 
while the conductor has lost control of the brakes. 
It makes it uncomfortable to stay or to run.” 

“Have any of the churches introduced this 
novelty yet?” inquired Miss Church-Member. 

“None as yet. We are waiting for certain 
developments before placing this device on the 
market. The agents of our Secret Service wilj 
inform us when the time is ripe.” 

The manager then offered to conduct them to 
another floor which was devoted to the interests 


200 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

of the Prayer Meeting, but Miss Church-Member 
having lost her interest in such kind of services, 
expressed a desire to visit some other part of the 
city. 


CHAPTER XVI. 


The Wizard City. 


1. The weird city of inventors described. 

2. its ultimate overthrow predicted in a realistic 


climax. 



SAW that Miss Church-Member was anx- 


ious to visit the vast tower in the central 


part of the city, so Mr. World, in deference 
to her wishes, and agreeably to his own desires, 
escorted her in that direction. 

Standing away at some distance, they were 
soon gazing upward at the awe-inspiring spectacle 
whose grandeur and proportions now appeared to^ 
be greatly increased. 

They could see, with more distinctness, cir- 
cling around the massive wizard cone, the aerial 
boulevards, ever alive with private conveyances, 
and the trolley cars each carrying a variety of 
passengers. 

“Will you accompany me on the trolley to 
the first series of hanging gardens ?” cheerily 
invited Mr. World . 

“If we are permitted, and you think it safe,” 
she answered in a tremulous voice. 

He calmed her fears, and led her to the cen- 
tral passenger room at the base of the tower. 


202 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

Here they saw a system of interior elevators 
carrying throngs of people to the numerous sta- 
tions between the base and the highest dizzy view- 
point. 

Leading off to the right ran the double 
trolley system, and to the left the equally wide 
boulevard, each on the exterior of the massive 
tower. 

I saw the obliging Mr. World, with more 
than usual courtesy, conduct his friend to a seat 
on a trolley car bound for the aerial gardens. 

The ascent was smooth and afforded delight- 
ful opportunities to view, at every desirable 
angle, the surrounding city and its environments. 

“This is the most exhilarating ride of my 
life !” triumphantly cried Miss Church-Member 
as they circled higher and higher so gradually 
that more than ten miles were traveled ere the 
objective point was reached one thousand feet 
from the base. 

Here lay the variety gardens, suspended 
from the rigid side of the tower by a feat of archi- 
tectural engineering surpassing anything in the 
natural world. 

Around the gardens the boulevards and the 
trolley lines circled horizontally, and also passed 
through some of the huge corridors which, on 
this level, diverge from the interior elevators 
toward the exterior gardens. 

When the trolley car reached this height 
Miss Church- Member at once fixed her eyes on the 


THE WIZARD CITY. 


203 


ponderous pillars on each side of the converging 
corridors, for she knew that more than four 
thousand feet of the tower’s amazing weight 
rested on these defiant granites. 

Mr. World and his pleasing friend meandered 
amongst the multitude from one to another of the 
hanging gardens, drinking in all the vain glories 
that this aerial world afforded. At last, wearied 
by the endless succession of extraordinary sights, 
they stole away to a quiet retreat on the outer 
edge of a garden farthest from the tower’s center. 
Reclining in hammocks, they conversed of all the 
greatness Df the world. 

Looking upward they saw, fifteen hundred 
feet above them, the next series of hanging 
gardens; and during the lull in the music near 
by, they caught the strains falling from the upper 
orchestras like music from Heaven. 

“Will you go with me still higher to taste the 
sweetness of a more ethereal level ?” 

Intoxicated with the charms already felt, 
Miss Church-Member was ready for any height. 

Upward they went on the venturesome 
trolley, admiring the phenomenal ride and the 
scenery it opened to their view in panoramic 
splendor. Their course wound round and round 
until they came to the horizontal circle twenty -five 
hundred feet above the base. 

This was a place of more refinement and 
beauty. The touch of the finer artists was seen 
in all the arrangement and style of the terraces 


204 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

and hanging gardens, but especially in the rich 
variety of flowers and plants that added their 
wealth to the novel combinations. 

Mr. World carefully guarded his much- 
esteemed friend during their sight-seeing from 
garden to garden, for at times they encountered 
throngs of people. 

I saw them eventually seek rest on rustic 
chaiis where their conversation deepened into 
the relations they sustained one to the other, 
succeeded at last by a tender, thoughtful silence! 

In the midst of their reveries they noticed a 
little spider, swinging on its silken thread, float- 
ing in the air between them. 

“You rude little creature! Why do you come, 
at such a time, between my friend and me?’’ 
said Miss Church-Member in a half humorous 
mood. 

“It may be for a purpose, dear. Perhaps 
the little insect poses here to remind us that we 
can never escape the foe that seeks to separate 
us.” 

“Quite an ingenious inference,” she said with 
deepening seriousness, “but who is that lurking 
foe who seeks our separation ?” 

“ Tis better to learn to know your enemies 
than to be told of them. Hence look through vour 
eyes askance.” * 

Just at this instant Miss Church-Member 
raised her hand and caught the little intruder, 
placing it alive into a locket which she had 


THE WIZARD CITY. 205 

secretly carried ever since she had visited the 
Pawn Shop. 

“What can be the meaning of that ?” queried 
Mr. World as he saw, through the glass of the 
little lid, the struggling insect. 

“So may it be to any foe that seeks to sepa- 
rate us,” she answered. 

“Then let me carry the locket, ” he suggested. 

‘ ‘You have captured the foe; allow me to keep him 
imprisoned.” 

There was a happy exchange of glances as- 
she pressed the little prison into his hand. “It 
is yours forever,” she pledged under the sway of 
her rising emotions. 

And he, acceptiug it with a warm heart, 
spoke thus m glowing words: “I accept the end- 
less task and also pledge to the utmost of my 
power to keep any foe imprisoned that seeks to 
rob your life of any passing happiness.” 

“Shall we go still higher ?” he soon asked as 
he fixed his eyes on the dizzy terraces two thou- 
sand feet above them. 

“In your presence I fear no height,” was her 
confiding response. 

The trolley cars ascended no higher, so they 
proceeded to the interior elevators. But they 
were told that no visitors were allowed above tnat 
point — that privilege being reserved for the 
inventors. 

“Are we permitted to visit the interior apart- 
ments of this tower, even below us*?” asked Mr. 


206 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 
W or Id wistfully. 

“They are all doubly sealed. No one but an 
expert inventor, true and tried in our master’s 
service, ever passes through these secret cham- 
bers.” 

“May we know what particular branch of 
work is done in this tower ?” 

“It is devoted alone to the invention and test- 
ing of weapons of warfare for the armies of our 
master, especially for the sharp-shooters sta- 
tioned along the so-called King’s Highway. ” 

Miss Church-Member trembled at this 
announcement and urged Mr. World to conduct 
her to the base of the tower, that they might visit 
other parts of the city. 

As I was looking at all these things a flash 
of light coming from one side blinded my vision, 
and as I turned I saw a heavenly messenger in a 
blaze of glory. 

“Hither, hither !” beckoned the sweet-faced 
angel. 

I was instantly at his side without effort, 
except an act of volition, and he transported me 
almost instantaneously to the apex of the great 
tower in the Wizard City. 

There I stood without fear under the sweet 
eharms of my angel guide who floated gently 
about me in the air. 

“0 mortal man,” calmly spoke the angel, 
“thou shalt now be privileged, for a brief space 
•of time, to gaze upon this Wizard City as angels 


THE WIZARD CITY. 


207 


do. Thy memory shall be strengthened, so that 
thou shalt not forget the vision of these carnal 
things.” 

Then in a manner surpassing all things hu- 
man, scales fell from my eyes, and I was struck 
with horror at the awful sight that lay before 
me. 

“Look thou first into the interior of this 
tower,” bade the angel, as he pointed downward. 

All things were open to my view, and I saw 
many of the bright geniuses of the world in 
league with the imps of darkness, all busily en- 
gaged in the secret service of Satan. 

I saw how Satan used the ingenuity of man 
to carry forward his infamous schemes. Instead 
of the old rifles used in the earlier days of Chris- 
tianity I saw in this tower almost numberless 
kinds of fatal weapons which send forth their 
poisonous and deadly discharges without smoke 
or sound, so that the wounded, not knowing 
whence the missiles come, might imagine that 
they were smitten of God. 

The angel informed me that every year this 
fiendish tower puts out into the hands of its 
agents many new devices, either for poisoning or 
wounding the disciples who travel on the King’s 
Highway, and who by any kind of negligence 
come within reach of Satan’s forces. 

“Seest thou,” continued myguide, “with what 
cunning Satan hathbuilded this tower ? By its 
exterior beauty he gaineth the confidence of the 


208 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

unwary; and thus winneth countless thousands to 
his cause. And seest thou the depth to which it 
reacheth, not six thousand feet below us, but 
ten times six thousand feet, into the bowels of the 
earth ?” 

Then could 1 see, at a glance, the whole under- 
ground dominious stretching their borders far, 
wide, and deep. There was a small empire of 
groveling imps each bent on the work of his partic- 
ular branch. 

“Look thou now into the apartments of those 
ponderous wheels, ” directed my glorious guide. 

Neither metal nor granite obstructed my 
vision. I saw delicate and complex machinery, 
and half-human creatures in league with mortal 
man, all bending to their tasks. 

“They all work in league with the Devil’s 
Optical College. The inventive genius of Hell 
hath contrived, in those graded departments, all 
the modern lenses that are so terribly warping 
the vision of an alarming number in the church 
and the world. 

“And seest thou,” continued the angel, as he 
pointed to a far section of the city, “those inven- 
tors plying their ingenuity in behalf of Satan’s 
Medical Colleges and Hospitals ? 

“And also witness, in that nearer section, the 
viler groups at work inventing snares and traps 
for Satan’s allies to use in catching Heaven-bound 
pilgrims. 

“Also behold,” he continued, turning to 


THE WIZARD CITY. 


209 


another part of the city, “that special class of 
geniuses who work for Satan’s general emissa- 
ries as they journey far and wide to do exploits. 
How fiendishly they influence the weaker servants 
of our King!” 

Then I stood gazing as the angel continued 
his interpreting, until I had seen the foul work- 
ings of this whole city. 

I was so filled with a mixture of grief and 
indignation that I cried out in painful anguish: 
“Why does not God send thunderbolts from his 
eternal throne, and smite this city to fragments?” 

Then the sweet angel calmly answered: “Not 
until the worm ceaseth to crawl, and thistles no 
more infest the ground. Till then the patience of 
God endureth and his sunshine falleth on the 
temples of Virtue and Vice.” 

“And what comes at the end of patience ?” 

“Txien shall the taint of sin be purged from 
the earth, for every temple and pest-hole of 
Satan, including this whole Wizard City, will be 
consumed by an awful fire whose lurid light will 
glimmer long after the metals and granites of this 
great Tower shall be reduced to ashes amidst 
the general ruin. ” 


CHAPTER XVII. 


The Festival. 

]. The whole scheme of merchandising in the church 
is laid bare as Satan explains the origin of the word 
“Festival.” 


/7\OOKING once again through the open door, 
\ I saw that Mr. World and Miss Church- 
Member, after leaving the Wizard City, had 
gained admission to the auditorium where the 
Ways and Means Committee was in session. 

Miss Church-Member at once retired to the 
waiting-room in the rear, and sat quietly perusing 
a book while her companion remained in the large 
hall and listened to the proceedings. 

An agent of Satan occupied the chair. He was 
dressed in pleasing costume, and controlled the 
assemblage with parliamentary dignity. 

When Mr. World took a seat, the large com- 
mittee was engaged in a warm debate over a cer- 
tain piece of ground occupying a space midway 
between the King’s Highway and the Broad High- 
way. This eligible site had been used for holding 
church-festivals to raise funds for the mainten- 
ance of gospel work. 

A few wealthy friends of Satan wanted this 
location on which to erect a club-house wherein 
they might revel and carouse as they wished. 


THE FESTIVAL. 21 1 

The question arose among the members of the 
committee as to which of the two uses would best 
subserve the purposes of their master who held 
a claim on the land. 

The chairman arose, after listening to the ar- 
guments at length, and addressed the audience 
with great coolness and deliberation. “Most wor- 
thy members of this committee, ” commenced he, 
“you have spoken many words of truth this day. 
Your interest in this matter only shows your loy* 
alty to our cause. ‘Club-House or Festival, ’ that is 
the question. Surely we cannot dispense with 
either, but rather must we maintain both at any 
cost. As for this place in question, I am decid- 
edly in favor of holding it for the use of the 
church. The Club-House will find a location else- 
where, but this ground is so favorably situated 
for church - merchandizing that I urge you to hold 
it for such purposes. Have we not seen how 
eagerly the two classes mingle here? This place, 
being so accessible to all parties, makes it pos- 
sible for the church to gather larger numbers 
and thereby reap greater financial results— which 
is the principal object of the church in holding 
these delightful affairs. Since the church is well 
supplied with everything it needs except money, 
let us do it a favor by rendering some assist- 
ance in that direction.. Then we may reason- 
ably expect that the church will, in return, do 
us a favor by becoming less hostile to our meth- 
ods of operation, which, as you will admit, are 


212 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 
highly honorable.” 

This speech had the desired effect. A resolu- 
tion was quickly passed in harmony with the opin- 
ion of the chairman. 

The curiosity of Mr. World was now satisfied, 
for he had seen this famous committee in session. 
Therefore he repaired to the waiting-room and 
was conducting Miss Church-Member from the 
building, when their attention was arrested by 
this announcement written in bold letters near 
the exit: “Any one wishing refreshments can 
find them at a festival which is now in prog- 
ress a little further down the road.” 

“How does that announcement suit you ?” in- 
terrogated Mr. World. 

“It comes at an opportune time,” she answer- 
ed, her face brightening. “I had been hoping that 
we might soon have lunch.” 

They had gone but a few steps from the door 
when they heard cheery voices and strains of 
music lending attractive life to the festival. 
Urged on by the thought of a pleasant hour, they 
quickened their pace unconsciously, and were 
soon within sight of the grounds. 

I saw the multitude gathering in the grove. 
The mingling of th6 church and the world was 
so complete that one could scarcely tell from 
which path many had come. 

On this intervening ground everything ap- 
pealed to the appetite, and the patrons knew 
that the more they ate or purchased the 



The Festival. 


































































































































THE FESTIVAL. 


215 


greater would be the success of the festival. 
Therefore some ate even unto gluttony for the 
benefit of the church, while agents of Satan with 
skillful aim were sending poisoned arrows into 
the heart of true benevolence, and also endeav- 
oring to arrest the minds of Christians that 
they might pursue the Broader Path after their 
routine at the festival was ended. 

Thus I saw, falling into the coffers of the 
church, filthy lucre not sanctified by prayer or 
sacrifice, and from this seed the church hoped to 
reap a holy harvest. 

Mr. World and his companion spent a delight- 
ful season with the company and, thanks to Mr. 
World’s plethoric purse, proved themselves pleas- 
ingly generous in their patronage. Finally Miss 
Church- Member excused herself from Mr. World 
and joined a company of young ladies who were 
engaged in joyous pleasures. 

Mr. World, now alone, was walking leisurely 
about the grounds when Satan appeared and 
sauntered at his side. “Are you not fearful,” 
asked Mr. World in the midst of a conversa- 
tion, “that many of your subjects will be led 
into the Narrow Path by tarrying at this place 
and associating with so many Christians?” 

“Not in the least,” he replied, “for at such 
places as this I gain more subjects than I lose. 
So I expect to encourage forever sacred- mer- 
chandizing all along my route. The churches 
are glad to use this ground even though it be- 
M 


216 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

longs to me, for I concede to them all the 
money. Naturally I prefer souls to money.” 

“How did this word ‘festival’ originate?” 
queried Mr. World after a brief pause in the 
conversation. 

“With pleasure I will explain. Once upon 
a time I called together my generals to deter- 
mine upon new methods of winning converts to 
our cause, and promised to confer upon the one 
who should suggest the best plan, the honorable 
title ‘Fast Devil.’ 

“A long intermission was granted to give 
my aids time to use their ingenuity in planning. 
All Hell was filled with students, each one striv- 
ing to win the title. 

“At a given signal my cohorts re-assembled. 
Thus before me lay a vast sea of anxious faces. 

I gave each one, who desired, an opportunity to 
speak. The sun revolved on his axis seven times 
ere the argument was finished. During this de- 
bate there was comparative peace on earth. ” 

“Pray tell me,” further asked Mr. World, 
“What was the trend of their suggestions?” 

“I could relate it all, for I have every word 
recorded, but I shall not weary you.” 

“But at least give me a general idea.” 

“ Willingly. One of my generals arose and said: 
We can change some of our tactics without loss to 
our cause. The sword and torture only strengthen 
our enemies. We should resort more to the 
'wolf- in- sheep' s- clothing method. ’ 


THE FESTIVAL. 


217 


4 ‘He could speak no more. A thundering sound 
of voices drowned his utterances. Thousands of 
my loyal leaders seconded his plans . 

“At last one of the speakers, who indeed won 
the prize, earnestly proposed a grand scheme, and 
the vast multitude listened with rapt atten- 
tion. His speech was short but fiery, and, ris- 
ing to the occasion, he demanded that all his 
comrades should unite and destroy the simple 
volunta^ spirit of Christian benevolence so that 
the church might go begging before the world and 
even resort to all manner of m ercantile business 
for its support. The speaker declared that if the 
church could be induced to adopt such measures 
it would tend to divert her mind from interfering 
with the work to which he and his auditors were 
all loyally pledged . 

“This speech had a marve lous effect, and there 
was a deafening roar of voices in the applause 
which continued for a long space of time. 

“Then followed an animated discussion in 
which a host of trusted leaders engaged. Each 
one commented on the winning speech and offer- 
ed suggestions how to awaken a trading interest 
in the church. It was conceded that first of all 
the church must feel the necessity of resorting to 
business. Accordingly a large committee was 
appointed to work systematically amongst the 
churches on earth, inducing their members to 
depart from the customs of the early church. 

“This committee did yeoman service and 


218 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

shrewdly prepared the way for the more com- 
plete work in harmony with the views of Fast 
Devil. Through the ages it succeeded in gradu- 
ally influencing the church to engage in all man- 
ner of performances and trading schemes to gain 
support. The work of this committee is not yet 
at an end, for nearly every week we hear of some 
innovation which has crept into the church, or 
some new form of merchandizing into which it has 
fortunately entered. 

“It is indeed gratifying that the church is 
casting off her unsightly spiritual robe and put- 
ting on the costume of merriment and trade. I 
hope the day will soon come when the church will 
have still less of the spiritual nonsense and more 
of these up-to-date methods to secure funds for 
its support.” 

As Satan spoke his last words he bid a brief 
adieu to Mr. World and hastened away to the side 
of a young man who was almost persuaded to 
yield to some elevating influence. I suddenly 
looked at Blackana whose presence I had well- 
nigh forgotten. 

“Have you been taking your ease in sleep’” I 
asked as an involuntary shudder shook my frame. 

“I never sleep. Suns may wax and wane, 
nations rise and fall, peoples live and die, but I 
am awake forever.” 

“Did you hear the conversation between Satan 
and Mr. World?” 

“Every word of it.” 


THE FESTIVAL. 


219 


‘ ‘Were you present when Satan held that great 
convocation to devise plans for more efficient work 
against the church of Jesus Christ on earth?” 

“I attended every session.” 

“And did you hear the speech of Fast Devil?” 

“I heard every word. ” 

“And did Satan give to Mr. World a true ac- 
count of the address?” 

“He gave only a condensed and garbled ren- 
dering of it.” 

“Then I command you, O Blackana, to give 
me a full reproduction of Fast Devil’s speech as 
far as you are able to translate the language of Hell: 
into words that are sensible to me. Can you re- 
member .each thought?” 

“I must remember, for I have not the power 
to forget, ’ ’ and Blackana groaned aloud. ‘ ‘Oh, that 
I could bury in oblivion the myriad thoughts that 
sting me with remorse!” He paused a moment.. 
“Am I to give you the whole speech as Fast Devil 
delivered it originally?” 

“Thought for thought, and gesture for ges- 
ture,” I answered authoritatively. 

Ere the last syllable fell from my lips Black- 
ana was suddenly transformed into a more terri- 
fying creature than he was himself. I was para- 
lyzed at the sight of the weird monster which I 
learned was the image of Fast Devil. 

There he stood, tall and erect, seven times the 
height of man, with sinews like iron-rope and with 
a face defying human description. His eyes were 


'220 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

fiery with life, and determination marked every 
movement as he stepped forward to speak. 

Notwithstanding my consciousness of being 
sustained by supernatural power, I trembled as 
Blackana reproduced this noted speech of Fast 
Devil. 

“Most honored chief and glorious master,” 
he commenced, “be thou indulgent as I speak to 
thee and unto these my comrades who lie in 
anxious posture over this vast expanse of Hell. 

I am here to state an issue of which we have 
heard murmurings for many an age. To prepare 
for this hour I have taxed my ingenuity to its ut- 
most.” 

Then, with striking gestures of his awful arms, 
he passionately continued: “Hope is no more 
crushed within me as I view the wide and meas- 
ureless field of our possibilities, for I see empires 
within our reach if we but cease brooding over 
our dismal past and let this bright prospect 
kindle its flames within us. What spur need we 
to move us on but to look up and see the re- 
splendent regions whence we fell, till hatred 
starts afresh within our beings, and our every 
passion moves to its control.” 

With an outward swing of his great right arm 
he asked in strong appealing tones: “How can we 
best succeed against the church in which our 
enemy glories so unceasingly? What inroads 
can we make? In what manner shall we ad- 
vance?” 


THE FESTIVAL. 


221 


He vigorously seized a book. “Here is a 
Bible, borrowed from a saint. I turned its pages 
over and over that I might learn what pained the 
heart of Christ most grieviously, vexing his 
inmost soul with indignation. What was it?” 
vociferously interrogated Fast Devil ^s he flung 
the book to the scorching winds of Hell. “’Twas 
that which hindered the cause of Christ most 
efficiently — prostituting the house of God to worldly 
purposes. Have we forgotten the vehemence with 
which this arch-enemy drove the money kings 
from his sacred abode, saying unto them: ‘My 
house is a house of prayer, but ye have made it a 
den of thieves, ’ and how we like sneaking cowards 
crawled away, and thus our glorious scheme went 
by default?” 

Then Blackana uttered his final appeal with 
all the swing of his mighty body and the low 
vibrant thunder of his voice. “Back to your forts ! 
Oh, back ! ye dormant hosts around me! Not in 
the strength of arms, but with the subtlest webs 
that Hell can weave, and with the snares of silent 
treachery. We need no stronger weapons, and 
for our dress we will don sheep’s clothing of the 
finest wool. Thus who amongst the church can tell 
that we are not seeking her highest good? Then 
as we strike the heart of voluntary offering in the 
church , so shall we kill the spirit that gives it birth. 
The carcass of this dead spirit unburied we shall drag 
through the church for ages , and the germs of disease 
arising therefrom will bring more death into the 


222 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ranks of our foes than all our weapons of warfare ever 
did.” 

Blackana instantly resumed his former 
shape, and “while I was musing the fire burned. ” 
I then looked out toward the festival ground and 
saw that Satan had returned to Mr. World and 
was explaining to him how helpful these festivals 
were to Christians. 

“Aside from the moral and religious influ- 
ence, “he remarked, “how could the church de- 
fray her expenses if she did not engage in some 
innocent forms of merchandizing, or use some 
novel scheme to decoy money from her admirers. 
Surely there can be no better way,” continued 
the Devil with an unholy grin. “If the church 
would maintain her honor before the world, she 
must not do differently. I am satisfied if only the 
old way of voluntary giving is more and more dis- 
carded by the church. ’ ’ 

“But you began your former recital,” re- 
minded Mr. World, “to inform me how the word 
‘Festival’ originated. You have not yet succeeded 
in making it clear to me.” 

“It originated from the phrase of honor 
which was given the prize-winner, ‘Fast Devil,’ 
but we changed the wording somewhat so that 
it might not seem obnoxious to the church.” 

Then, by a peculiar method of concrete mark- 
ing. Satan continued: “The following is the pro- 
cess of development from the phrase to the 
word: ‘Fast Devil;’ 'Fest Evil;* ‘FESTIVAL.’ ” 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


The Missionary College. 


1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member visit the 
great college, and are strongly influenced in favor of 
Satan's teachings concerning missionary work, 

HE fellowship of Mr. World and Miss 



Church-Member was increasingly delight- 


ful as they journeyed forth from the 
Festival. In their company were a few church- 
members who had also enjoyed the physical: 
pleasures of the Festival and who preferred to 
reach Heaven by the most convenient path. 

The merry band of companions soon reached 
a certain Missionary Station which was controlled 
by pilgrims from the King’s Highway. The 
travelers were all very much amused at seeing 
tracts and other pieces of literature scattered 
over the Highway in front of the station. 

“How much one can get for nothing!” sneer- 
ingly remarked Mr. Bigot, as he pointed to the 
literature strewed across the way. 

“Surely there can be no harm in looking at 
such pieces of paper.” said Mrs. Lucre-Love as 
she lifted a booklet from the path, and commenced 
a quiet perusal of it. 

“And what is it all about ?” queried another 


224 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

who saw the eyes of Mrs. Lucre-Love fixed intent- 
ly on the pamphlet. 

“Oh, it is nothing new! Only the old monot- 
onous story of the heather}, followed by the usual 
appeal for funds. Evidently it is some sharper’s 
scheme to rob the people of their money.” 

Mr. World was near enough to hear her 
answer and with evident disgust he asked: 
“Where can one get reliable information on this 
subject, anyhow ?” 

“At one of the Missionary Colleges, of 
course, ” answered two or three in unison. “Yes, 
and I know from past experience that you will 
soon be at one. This station and this literature 
is all the evidence we need,” added Mrs. Lucre- 
Love. 

Mr. World and Miss Church- Member thence 
walked alone and soon beheld the great Missionary 
College whose higher domes kissed the lower 
clouds of heaven. 

“Surely some great missionary enthusiast 
must have erected these edifices,” said Miss 
Church-Member as they were turning to enter 
the section devoted to Home Missionary Work. 

The entrance ways were so crowded with stu- 
dents and visitors that Mr. Worldescorted his com- 
panion with difficulty to the plaza toward which 
the twenty-one halls of this section converged. 

The view of this part of the College from the 
plaza was at once beautiful and inspiring. 

Hall No. 4 was the first place they decided to 


THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. 225 

enter. Over the door these words were hung: 

HOME-MISSION WORK 
FINANCIALLY CONSIDERED. 

Having reached the interior, Miss Church- 
Member, particularly, was surprised to see the 
many busy thousands in the large rooms of the 
hall, and to note with what carefulness every 
item of expense was kept of all the Home- Mis- 
sion Work of the world. 

Then they sought the main lecture-room 
whose large seating capacity was already well 
taken with a motley crowd of students and visi- 
tors. 

The lecturer was a woman of shrewd appear- 
ance, her face was void of sympathy, and her 
voice somewhat masculine. Her address was 
over one-half finished when the two companions 
entered. They listened carefully to her words 
which were in part as follows: 

“We are not to worship money, yet we are to 
guard against squandering it. The person who 
wastes one dollar sets a bad example to others 
and brings injury to himself. Woman is criti- 
cized for wastefulness in dress. I stand here to 
defend her, not because she is altogether inno- 
cent, but because her accusers are equally guilty 
in the same and in other directions. The money 
wasted in Home Missionary Work would feed the 
starving of all the world. Where does this money 
come from ? The greater part of it comes from 


226 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


the purses of those who are burdened with all 
manner of financial obligations. What right have 
such people to rob others of their dues in order 
to support IIcme-Mission Work ? O, that the time 
may soon come when consistency will be manifest- 
ed, and so much money no longer prostituted in 
this sentimental manner’” 

The speaker proceeded, but the interest of 
the two listeners was flagging; so they quietly left 
the room. 

They next entered Hall No. 17, devoted to 
the Results of Home-Missionary Work; but after 
remaining a very short time Miss Church-Mem- 
ber declared that she was interested more 
directly in Foreign Missionary Work. 

In deference to her wishes he at once accom- 
panied her to the second section of the Mission- 
ary College, which was much larger than the first. 
Miss Church-Member led the way into one of the 
large halls where Satan, through his agents, gave 
special instruction concerning the Condition of 
the Heathen. They listened to four speakers 
from whose brief addresses they received food 
for thought. 

The first speaker expounded the theory that 
“Ignorance is Bliss,” and declared that the 
heathen were happy and comfortable in their 
present condition. 

The second lecturer argued, at greater 
length, that the heathen were free from all re- 
sponsibility as long as they were left alone, and 


THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. 


227 


that if God held them accountable, then their 
vague worship answered for a good conscience, 
and therefore they would reach Heaven by a 
simpler path. 

The third speaker declared that the heathen 
were now as God had made them, and therefore 
just as they should be. To establish this theory 
he used garbled arguments of predestination. 

The fourth assured the audience that the 
heathen, in due order, would rise to loftier con- 
ceptions by the same natural processes as the 
civilized peoples of to-day have risen from their 
rude primitive conditions. 

After reviewing some heathen relics the two 
companions spent some time near-by in a hall of 
the same section devoted to the Effects of the 
Gospel on the Heathen. 

Its teachers were very emphatic in their 
utterances. They affirmed that the Gospel did 
not benefit the heathen, except that it brought to 
them civilization with all its attendant responsi- 
bilities and vices. 

One lecturer to whom they listened was very 
fiery. In a scathing manner the speaker pro- 
nounced censure on the Christian church for her 
ill-advised policy in Foreign Missionary Work. 

Mr. World and his close friend left the second 
section of the college without pausing to visit the 
recitation rooms where Satan’s Missionary Ex- 
perts were constantly teaching graded classes. 
In a few moments they entered the largest edifice 


228 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

of the Missionary College which was erected for 
the special purpose of teaching the Comparative 
Need of Home and Foreign Work. 

Upon entering, Miss Church-Member was 
surprised at the interior arrangements of the 
rooms and the exceptional beauty of their finish. 

After a much needed rest in one of the sub- 
departments, they went to one of the higher 
floors, hoping to hear another lecture on some 
missionary theme. 

Mr. World smiled as they entered t he room 
and saw that a woman occupied the platform. In 
a jovial manner he remarked that “women must 
be the best missionary orators. ” 

The speaker was keen-eyed and shrewd, and 
well knew how to use sophistry in pathos and wit. 
She expounded to the audience the doctrine 
of Satan under whose service she was pledged to 
loyalty. 

“We are all missionaries,” she commenced, 
“and cannot escape the responsibility which is 
imposed upon us. Our duty is imperative. We 
stand at the open door of opportunity and enter so 
slowly into the fields of work all around us. When 
one sees rank bigotry, selfishness, and narrow- 
mindedness on every hand, he feels like blushing 
that he ever sent money to convert the heathen 
in far-away lands. The heathen at our own 
doors are more blood-thirsty than the cannibals 
of distant climes. I appeal to you all, noble 
women especially, to rid your minds of the 


THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. 


229 


fallacy of foreign work and do the foreign work 
at home, even inside your own doors. (Applause, 
principally among the men, in which Mr. 
Wo~ld heartily joined.) I must confess 
that, at one time, I was almost overcome by 
this craze of evangelizing the world. My delu- 
sion went so far that I would see visions of China, 
Africa, or the remote islands of the sea, and even 
imagine that I heard voices calling me thither.. 
One night I dreamed a dream, the kindest of them 
all. I saw a woman standing on the shore of a 
river, her children drowning at her side. But 
she, unmindful of her own blood, was hastening 
to launch a boat into the stream that she might 
rescue a sinking dog on the farther shore. ‘Un- 
grateful wretch,’ I cried aloud on my bed so that 
I was waked by my own voice. I was so moved 
by the dream that i could sleep no more that 
night, but sought for some one to make known 
unto me the interpretation thereof. I soon learned, 
to my personal shame, that I was that woman. 
I then and there vowed that I would no more be 
guilty of so great a crime. (Great applause, 
with cries of “noble decision!” “common sense!”) 
From that hour I assure you that I have been 
trying to evangelize the world — not the one across 
the river, (applause) but the one on this side. 
(Applause.) 

“I have been working at my own home and 
find a task almost too great for me to do. If I 
should ever see the day when I get through with 


230 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

my own family, including my husband (gi;eat 
applause among the women), I can then com- 
mence busying myself with my neighbors’ affairs 
and tell them also how to become perfect. (Laugh- 
ter and applause.) 

“God never made a greater world than when 
he instituted the home. The woman who becomes 
inspired with international evangelization would 
do well if she would learn how to season victuals 
and cook them aright (shouting and applause 
among the men) and to give proper care to her 
home and her children. This is home-missionary 
work. (Continued applause.) The speaker was 
about to be seated, but the applause was rising, 
so she stepped for wai d again. “If this kind of 

missionary work be adopted, then the church 
will no longer be drained by repeated collec- 
tions for missionary work, and that money will 
flow into better channels and prove an impetus 
to trade.” She stepped quickly from the stage 
while the final burst of applause rang loud and 
prolonged. 

“That was the greatest and most sensible 
missionary speech to which I ever listened in my 
life,” chuckled Mr. World as he was moving to- 
ward the door with his companion. 

I learned from Blackana that this Missionary 
College of the Devil has wrought great mischief 
in the missionary operations of the church, and 
that Satan glories in the fact that he has succeeded 
in sending these nefarious doctrines to the 


THE MISSIONARY COLLEGE. 


231 


heart of so many church-members and thereby 
kept a large part of the world in spiritual 
darkness. 

Then I took a passing glance at the King’s 
Highway and saw a shining pilgrim communing 
with God and casting his eyes over the hills of 
Time looking for the coming of his Redeemer, 
while from his lips this prayer arose, like sweet 
incense to Heaven: “O God, hasten the day when 
thy church will unite and go forth into all the 
world to preach the Gospel, instead of so large 
a part of it giving ear to the teaching of Satan’s 
missionary schools, thereby delaying the coming 
of thy dear Son. ” 

N 


CHAPTER XIX. 

The Rival Churches. 


1. The two companions visit a church on the By- . 
Path and are disgusted. 

2. Then they are delighted with the services of the 
Church of the World whose minister they visit. 

ft SAW the two happy companions leaving 
qN- the Missionary College and proceeding on 
the Broad Highway. They were engaged 
in censuring the church lor what they conceived 
to be its waste of time, talent, and means in try- 
ing to convert the heathen. 

This harmony of opinions was most pleasing 
to Mr. World. It was in sweet contrast to what 
he had previously experienced in his earlier ac- 
quaintance with Miss Charch-Member. Her 
likeness to him and her love for him were becom- 
ing more noticeable as their fellowship continued, 
for she observed through her faithful lenses that 
his moral purity and refinement were above par. 

While they were yet criticising the church”, 
Mr. World espied, not far ahead of them, another 
path leading to the right. 

“Behold the narrow path yonder,” he ex- 
claimed in a somewhat surprised manner. “If it 
were not for a happy change in you, I would now 
be subjected to a score of sickly sentiments as to 
leaving this way, and going with you to a harder 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


23$ 


one. pave I conjectured rightly ?” he asked in a 
cheerful vein. 

“It is all too true,” she confessed. “If peo- 
ple could but see their folly before placing it on 
exhibition, what a blessing it would be to all 
around them!” 

On the By-Path stood a small church within 
easy reach of the Broad Highway. As they came 
nearer to the place of worship, they heard music 
which attracted them to the very door of the 
church. 

• “Let us enter,” she suggested. 

“I shall enjoy your pleasure,” he courteously 
replied. “Only see to it carefully that your glass- 
es are properly adjusted, lest some strange 
glimmerings of light should bring pain or ruin to> 
your eyes. ” 

I saw Miss Church-Member readjusting her 
lenses while they were entering the church and 
taking seats in the rear of the room. 

The minister led the congregation in a fer- 
vent prayer which seemed to be altogether too 
Puritanical in the estimation of Mr. World and 
his friend. 

The preacher began his sermon. As he pro- 
ceeded his countenance became more radiant. 
His clear eyes sparkled aright, and as he preach- 
ed Christ and Him crucified even his raiment 
seemed bright and shining. 

It proved to be a memorable meeting. A 
few, who evidently intended to ridicule, were 


234 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


pricked in their hearts and, much to the disgust 
of some, cried out: “What must I do to be sav- 
«d?” — “Fools who came to scoff remained to 
pray.” 

“This is affectation in the extreme,” whisper- 
4ed Mr. World scornfully. 

“Quite enough of it, indeed,” she returned. 

The whole affair seemed to her so unreal that 
her mind could scarcely believe that she was ever 
connected seriously with such a method of wor- 
ship. 

Still worse than all this outward sham, she 
was enabled, by the aid of her eye-glasses well 
adjusted, to discern a wicked motive in the mind 
of the minister. His utterances also appeared 
miserably narrow. 

At the request of Miss Church-Member they 
left the room, congratulating themselves that 
they were not compelled to remain longer. 

“All this reminds me of how simple and fool- 
ish I once was, ” she said plaintively as thev de- 
scended the front steps. “Is it possible that I 
was ever seriously connected with such a kind of 
worship ? Yet ignorance is the mother of endless 
follies. Can we find no better place of worship 
than this ?” 

“Better by far ! I can easily lead you to a 
church where great varieties of truthful and yet 
comfortable doctrines are preached, pleasing to 
the ear, and fascinating to the senses. No blunt 
fellow stands in its pulpit, but rather a cultured 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 2S& 

and highly refined gentleman of modern type, 
who delights to keep apace with the customs of 
the age. If you desire, I will gladly accompany 
you thither. It would be sad indeed were you to- 
be turned away from religion altogether, just be- 
cause your own church is so un suited to your 
advanced ideas.” 

The face of Miss Church-Member brightened, 
and she quickly expressed her desire to accom- 
pany him to such a church. Therefore Mr. 
World improved the first opportunity, and con- 
ducted her to a large and beautiful edifice. 

“Here,” he said, “is the kind of church to 
which I am inclined. I give very liberally to the 
support of the Gospel as here preached. I like 
the broad-mindedness and liberal spirit which is 
manifested within the domain of this denomina- 
tion.” 

“In what else does this church differ from 
the one to which I belong ?” she asked. 

“In this denomination your conscience is not 
always pricked and you can do many innocent 
things without being called a sinner. You may 
also consult your personal feelings relative to 
church duties. One is not bound down by a 
galling yoke of ecclesiastical tyranny. Best of 
all, this is an up-to-date church. You can learn 
something about science, philosophy, and civil 
government. In your church one must listen to 
the thread-bare doctrines of the Bible, much to 
his personal discomfort. Your minister exer- 


236 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

cises a censorship over the consciences of his 
members from which I prefer to be excused. In 
fine, I can say that nothing is developed there 
but a long face and a sanctimonious soberness.” 

They entered the church, and were conduct- 
ed to a front pew. 

The opening services were enrapturing to 
Miss Church-Member, and seemed unlike any- 
thing she had ever heard. The operatic rendition 
of the music, the ritualistic cast of the prayer 
and the soothing effect of the rhetorical essay 
which took the place of a sermon, all exercised a 
fascinating influence. 

As the minister neared the close of his 
essay, he said: “Christ intended that man should 
enjoy liberty in this life, and that he should edu- 
cate himself in the best schools of art, science, 
and literature. Therefore one has a right to 
seek, in this infinitely great world of ours, for 
such things as will best educate his natural and 
spiritual being. If the theatre can supply part 
of this demand, let him go, as a student, and 
drink into his soul through the senses of sight 
and hearing. If the dance can elevate him some- 
what in demeanor and classical grace, let him go 
there as a student. If some milder types of in- 
dulgence can bring him into a more thorough 
knowledge of the weaknesses of human nature, 
let him indulge, but only as a student with sin- 
cerest motives. In general, I would say, that 
your conscience is a reasonably safe guide and 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


237 


you cannot go far wrong by obeying its dictates. 
Be a student all the days of your life; familiarize 
yourself with both the virtues and the vices of 
human kind that you may be better qualified to 
defend the right and resist the wrong.” 

At the conclusion of the services I heard 
the minister announce that the church would 
hold a “razzle-dazzle” party on Friday evening, at 
which he hoped there would be a good attendance, 
as the church treasury was in sad need of re- 
plenishment. He also announced that all the 
prayer- meetings would be discontinued for two 
weeks, so as to permit a thorough practice for 
the coming Cantata. 

After the dismissal of the congregation the 
two continued on their journey, which was ever 
opening to them new avenues of delight. 

Miss Church-Member expressed supreme 
satisfaction regarding the scholarly sermon to 
which she had listened, and confessed that she 
had never heard a preacher in her own church 
take such advanced positions concerning the na- 
ture of human liberty. 

Mr. World felt elated because his compan- 
ion had found such exquisite delight in the wor- 
ship of the same church to which he adhered. He 
also remembered, with pleasure, that they had 
safely passed the little church on the By-Way, 
which represented the same doctrines as the 
church to which his now confiding friend belonged. 

“Would it not be more in keeping with your 


238 MK. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

advanced Christianity if you were to withdraw 
your membership from your present connection 
and join a church more fitting to your degree ?” 
were his suave words of invitation. 

“That would be a natural question to con- 
sider after I know the rules and regulations of 
the church to which I intend to go.’* 

“That only indicates your wisdom,” said Mr. 
World insinuatingly. “Since you desire more 
congenial Christian fellowship why not give your 
attention to the church toward which I lean ?” 

“An agreeable suggestion,” she said. “Where 
can I get the desired information ?” 

He answered the question by taking her to 
the home of the minister, and there introducing 
the subject. 

She was very favorably impressed by the 
courteous reception accorded her by so great 
and dignified a person. 

“You come seeking knowledge of the church. 

I assure you, my young friend, that I will gladly 
answer any questions. May I take the privilege 
of asking you whether you have ever belonged 
to any church?” 

She flushed with shame. “I will be true and 
tell you all. I had a great experience some years 
ago, when I was seeking Christ. In answer to 
my earnest petitions, I saw the most welcome 
beams of light that ever touched my poor soul. 

I knew I was converted to Christ and continued 
in his service ever since, although somewhat 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


239 


differently since I came into fellowship with 
Mr. World. I joined the church in which I was 
converted and still hold my membership there. ” 

“How did you get so well acquainted with the 
happy Mr. World ?” 

Miss Church-Member answered half in 
quaint humor and half in pathos. “I, at one time, 
thought he was a very wicked fellow, and in a 
prayerful mood I endeavored to rescue him. I 
knew he would not come by his own effort to my 
way of thinking, so I entered into alliance with 
him for the purpose of quietly leading him unto 
the King’s Highway. I soon saw the bigotry of 
my former self, and through the kindness of Mr. 
World I have already been aided in my vision and 
improved in dress, and, better than all, I have 
enjoyed the privilege of worshiping my God in a 
more fitting temple, where true freedom is 
preached and practiced.” 

“Then it is your purpose to continue being a 
Christian, although you have left the King’s High- 
way *?” asked the delighted clergyman. 

“As long as I live I will hold to my religion,” 
she said emphatically. 

“Then you are sound indeed both in purpose 
and doctrine. Did you wish to be visibly connect- 
ed with our church ?” 

“I wish to know first its rules and conditions 
of entrance. ” 

The minister opened his Guide Book and, 
duly adjusting his spectacles, read in a pleasing 


240 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

manner: “Anyone wishing’ to unite with this 
church must comply with the following rules and 
regulations: 

“RULE I. — He must reach a reasonable de- 
gree of respectability, or intend to do so. 

“RULE II. — He must not wear clothing so 
plain as to attract undue attention. 

“RULE III. — He must not tolerate or coun- 
tenance the common nuisances so prevalent in the 
churches of the King’s Highway. 

“RULE IV. — He must ever manifest a liberal 
spirit so as to keep in touch with the progress of 
the world. 

“RULE V.— He may engage in any practice 
that will give enlightenment on the dark or bright 
side of life. Members of this church ought to 
have a well-rounded education. 

“RULE VI.— He must never take advantage 
m buying or selling, except in such cases like 
Jacob’s where he can bring good to himself or pro- 
fit to the church. 

“RULE VII.— He must never give way to his 
temper, except in such cases where his personal 
liberty or his church is attacked. 

“RULE VIII. — He is to cultivate grace and 
etiquette through whatever channel possible. 

RULE IX. He is to be faithful in attending 
the services of his own church, except in cases of 
sickness or disinclination. 

“RULE X. — It must be his constant aim to 
reach Heaven by traveling diligently on a way 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


241 


wide enough to hold the attention and respect of 
an enlightened age. 

“These are our general rules. We have 
several thousand regulations covering every 
phase or avenue of life. ” 

“What I have just now heard are certainly 
not as iron-clad as the r ules of my church. Noth- 
ing is said of conversion, or spirituality, or of the 
Holy Spirit, or of the other persons of the Tri- 
nity,” commented Miss Church-Member. 

“No, not of anything that is antiquated or, in 
other words, ‘out of date.’ The main church on 
earth must deal with practical things.” 

“What do you call ‘conversion* in your church, 
or do you not believe in it?” 

“Beyond any doubt we believe in conversion. 
Just as soon as a person confesses his faith m 
our general rules he is converted, and is at once a 
good Christian. The Bible says that if one will 
only believe he is safe; or ‘saved already’ as the 
true Greek rendering has it.” 

“Then you hold to the Bible strictly ?” 

“We are the only church that does really and 
truly hold to the Bible. We believe and teach it 
as it is preserved for the ages in the original 
Hebrew and Greek. ” 

“But I notice that many of your rules seem 
to be at variance with certain parts of the Bible,” 
she boldly declared. 

“True enough, but those certain parts of the 
Bible do not belong to the genuine Scriptures. 


242 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


Whatever you find in the Bible contrary to our 
rules and regulations you can safely conclude is 
an interpolation and does not form a part of the 
inspired Word. Let me assure you, Miss Church- 
Member, that our discipline was written with 
great care by eminent scholars of the Hebrew and 
Greek; therefore how could there have been any 
error in it ?” 

Miss Church-Member was slightly confused, 
and evidenced by her manner that she was ready 
to depart. 

“May I ask before you go,” continued the 
minister, “whether you are willing to join our 
church. ” 

“I have been thinking,” she replied, “that I 
could do more good in my own church, not by 
fighting it, but by using my influence quietly in 
trying to get some of its members to be more 
like I am. I always had a missionary spirit. In 
that way I might satisfy my earlier ambitions 
and lead some one out of the mist into a better 
light. ’ ’ 

“Avery bright idea,” testified Mr. World, 
advancing with Miss Church-Member toward the 
door. 

“And may you succeed in your plans,” added 
the minister as they were stepping from the room. 
“There are millions who belong to my church in 
spirit, but who hold visible connection with some 
radical church of the King’s Highway. They are 
doing great service in eradicating old-time 


THE RIVAL CHURCHES. 


243 


methods and planting the banners of a new 
liberty such as we three enjoy.” 


CHAPTER XX. 


From the Valley of Conviction to the Devil’s 
Auction. 


1. Depression of Miss Church-Member. 

2. Merry Village. 

3. The Famous Cross Roads. 

4. The Devil’s Auction. 


<a 


S Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
proceeded on their journey they were 
frightened by a man who, with his hands 
uplifted and agony pictured on his face, came run- 
ning toward them, shouting: “Let good sense 
control you and go no farther! Enchantment, 
spirits, witches, and unnamed hobgoblins dwell in 
every part of this hideous valley!” 


“Oh, terror! What can this mean?” nervously 
asked Mr. World, as the stranger stood panting 
for breath. 

“All a mystery. Even the air is filled with 
poison and weird music. I am thankful that I 
have escaped with my life.” 

“Come, come, Mr. Sin-sick, tell us more about 
it. We may thereby profit greatly,” said Mr. 
World with more composure. 

“I had just been traveling farther down the 
valley of Thoughtfulness and Conviction when I 
heard multitudes shouting praises to One whom 
they called their Redeemer, each waving aloft a 


245 


THE DEVIL’S AUCTION, 

banner bearing: the imprint of a cross. On the 
cross I saw these words: ‘For God so loved the 
world that he gave his only begotten Son, that 
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but 
have everlasting life. ’ When I came nearer to the 
confusion I was suddenly seized with a peculiar 
conviction which brought grief to my soul; and, 
had I not made this timely retreat, I might have 
been brought under the power of those strange 
creatures. Oh, take heed and go with me some 
other way.” 

Mr. World readily consented, but Miss Church- 
Member was inclined to continue, confessing that 
she had once been a singer in such a valley, and 
surely no harm could befall them there. Mr. 
World thought it was the part of wisdom not to 
oppose her at this time, although he feared that 
she might be induced to leave him. He consented 
to go, pretending that it made no difference to him 
which way he traveled; but, as they walked on, 
the wary fellow was very careful not to step 
from the Broad Path. 

When they came in sight of the valley, Miss 
Church -Member lifted her glasses to test the 
strength of her eyes. Memory brought stinging 
grief to her heart. She commenced sighing for 
the old paths and also wept that she had for so 
long a time abetted her former enemies. 

Her companion became alarmed at the new 
turn. “Be not so foolhardy,” he warned. Your 
eyes are being needlessly ruined. Quicklyreplace 


2 46 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

those glasses lest you become totally blind.” 

She obeyed promptly and thus the intensity 
of conviction passed. Had her spiritual ears been 
open, she might have heard an angel sadly singing: 

“Oh, hear the song- of love that fills the air! 

Oh, heed the voice that pleads in touching prayer! 

Both fall upon your conscience now in vain, 

Through vile deceit your nobler self is slain.” 

In this vale she heard the word of God preach- 
ed powerfully, and the calling of the Holy Spirit in 
unmistakable sweetness, but how could it affect 
one who wore such treacherous glasses and who 
considered her condition so favorable? 

She passed through the valley with her faith- 
ful friend without being lured from the Broad 
Highway. 

On the verge of the valley I saw a curiously 
shaped bu ildingand read these words over it: “ Tons 
of laughter. Cheap Admission. ’ ’ A man with a strong 
voice stood along the path and cried out: “Whoa! 
Whoa! Ye travelers of this way! Come hither 
and drive away your cruel cares. Here is the 
greatest exhibition in the world. Smile and walk 
lightly, laugh and grow fat!” 

Mr. World and his associates, however, did 
not enter this place, but passed on through the 
entire Merry Village. On each side of the way 
they saw an endless variety of gaudy advertise- 
ments, each one setting forth some leading feature 
of some frivolous, indecent, or gay performance. 

Miss Church-Member was not tempted as was 


As Mr. World and his companion were entering the Valley of conviction a terrified man came running 

toward them. See page 244, 



1 








THE DEVIL’S AUCTION, 


249 


her companion to spend time at such places. So 
he, in order to hold her company, sacrificed his 
desires and passed on without complaint. 

I dow turned and spoke to Blackanawho still 
mutely sat at his appointed post. “Tell me the 
meaning of the Merry Village being located so 
near the Valley of Conviction.” 

Without the faintest murmur he replied: 
“Many of the millions who pass through the valley 
are strangely affected with a sad countenance anda 
heavy heart which indeed drive them into a frenzy, 
so that they go toward theKing’s Highway. Satan 
intends by the attractions of the Merry Village 
to divert the thought of all such travelers and hold 
them in the bounds of the Broad Highway. You 
will soon come to the path on which more people 
go to the narrow, rugged way than on all other 
paths combined, and were it not for this happy 
village, and the places beyond, many more would 
drop out of our ranks. ” 

I doubted not the words of Blackana, and as I 
looked out again upon the Broad Highway, I saw 
that the two companions had just left the Merry 
Village and had come to the well-beaten road lead- 
ing to the right. 

Here stood a preacher who, in tearful earnest- 
ness, urged all travelers to go the right way. I 
saw many heeding his words and go running on 
the new way after throwing away cumbrous things. 

At this place I saw some parting with their 
friends. One particularly I noticed who was plead- 
O 


250 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

ing with another not to go, and ever clinging to 
him in bodily strength. Many who desired to 
leave the Broad Highway were similarly pre- 
vented. 

In the fork of the road stood a number of large 
churches, in each of which services were held 
every hour of the day. These were the Devil’s 
churches, and each was supplied by a courte- 
ous and shrewd class of ministers. 

On the left side of the way was a large garden 
and a series of groves each filled with a merry 
throng of pleasure-seekers. Bands of music made 
the air resonant, and every device known to the 
world of sport could be found in full fling in these 
varied resorts where intoxicating drinlr was the 
main beverage, and dancing and gambling were 
the chief delights. 

The Broad Highway was especially wide at 
this junction. It led onward between the Devil’s 
churches and the pleasure grounds. 

The greatest confusion prevailed on this wide 
area. Many missionaries from the King’s High- 
way were busily engaged in speaking to the throngs 
that had come through the Valley of Conviction. 

There were also many friends of the Devil, 
in vulgar attire, persuading the multitudes to rest 
in the joyful grove, while other agents of Satan, in 
more saintly manner, urged attendance upon the 
church services. 

Thus I observed the heedless throng from the 
Valley of Conviction being attracted by the music 


251 


THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 

and passing through the pleasure grounds, while 
an alarmiugly large number attended the churches 
m the fork of the roads. A few stoics, without 
pausing, passed on along the Broad Highway. 

Only a few, comparatively, could be persuaded 
to turn their steps toward the King’s Highway. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member stood 
for a Jong time watching the ever-changing pano- 
rama of the surging crowds. He was desirous of 
visiting the groves, but Miss Church- Member was 
toopiously inclined. So they were halting between 
two opinions when a saintly-looking person an- 
proached them. 

“To what place are you journeying?” the beau- 
tiful stranger asked. 

‘ ‘We are journeying to a place called Heaven, ” 
promptly answered Miss Church-Member. 

‘•Congratulations, indeed,” spoke the stran- 
ger as he smiled. “You belong to the better class 
of travelers. Some, I fear, who go this way will 
miss Heaven. They are too much attracted by the 
frivolities of life and never have a desire to go to 
church. ” 

“But we love the church, ” spoke up Mr. World. 
However we have had little time and no opportu- 
nitv to enter one for some time.” 

“You are welcome to the services in one of 
yonder buildings,” said the stranger as he pointed 
toward the group of the Devil’s churches. “There 
you can listen with pleasure and profit to the lat- 
est style of preaching, and the special music will 


252 MB. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

prove entertaining. You should, without fail, at- 
tend church, or you will never increase in spirit- 
ual knowledge.” 

Without further hesitation the two pushed 
their way through the crowd and entered one of 
the churches where they were greeted warmly 
and ushered to a prominent seat. 

The minister had already begun to speak and 
was growing eloquent as he warmed to his theme. 
They listened with absorbing interest to every 
word that fell from his lips. 

“Into this church,” the minister said, “come 
the wearied of heart, troubled perchance with in- 
ward fears, resulting from the weird occurrences 
along the pathway through the Valley of Convic- 
tion. We bid you cast aside your ' thoughts of 
trouble and be at peace. There is a calmness vou 
should covet untouched by such conviction. 

“They who sing and preach in that valley are 
low subjects of ignorance and folly, and happ;y for 
you if you succeed in totally forgetting all you saw 
or heard while passing through. Why should you 
worry about your condition? Are you n^tgood 
enough ? You have come hither from respectable 
parents, perhaps received Christian baptism, 
and can easily distinguish between right and 
wrong. Why should cruel daggers now pierce 
your heart? What you have done or expect to do 
is surely pleasing to your God. If you belong to 
the church, you are doubly safe. Let time change, 
or worlds fall, the church will stand forever. If 


THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 253 

you continue faithful here you will have a glorious 
end; only be not influenced by the contemptible 
advocates of the Narrow Way, who show their 
vanity by their professions of superior sanctity- 
Be satisfied with the good, old, staid principles of 
this church, and be not swept away by every wind of 
doctrine that is blasting the earth with its fiendish 
breath. Rejoice in your pilgrimage and let con- 
viction no longer sadden your life.” 

After continuing at some length in this strain, 
the minister announced that a quartette would ren- 
der an appropriate selection just received from the 
mountain-tops of Apathy. 

The congregation seemed to be greatly pleased 
as these words were sung with a show of senti- 
ment: 

“Come, ye that struggle 
With thoughts of conviction; 

Continue no longer 
Such burdens to bear. 

Throw off forever 
This needless affliction; 

And taste of the pleasures 
That wisdom would share. 

“There’s rest for the soul 
In blissful forgetting; 

’Tis bought by the prudent 
At moderate cost. 

Then cast to the winds 
Thy worry and fretting, 

And live in the sunshine 
Where shadows are lost.” 

At the conclusion of the services Mr. World 


254 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

conducted his friend from the church, and as they 
were moving again toward the surging crowds 
they gave heed to the cries of an auctioneer. 

“Let us tarry a moment,” he urged as he 
turned his footsteps to that part of the Broad 
Highway known as the Devil’s Auction 

A large company of men, women, and children 
were giving earnest heed to the auction which had 
been in progress all day. 

The auctioneer held in his hand a gaudy bau- 
ble of worldly pleasure. He cried in the full 
strength of his voice that such beautiful specimens 
of pleasure were very rare. At once the bidding 
for it grew lively. It was soon thrown out to a 
reckless mortal who seized it with unusual avidity. 

Then a door was opened in the rear, and lo, I 
beheld a series of rooms filled with baubles of 
every conceivable kind, enough to satisfy all who 
came for such lightsome things. 

One of extraordinary beauty was next offered. 
“What do I hear for it?” lustily shouted the auc- 
tioneer. 

The whole host bent forward eagerly to get a 
nearer view of the new attraction. 

‘Til give one hour of time!” said an aged man. 

“An hour of time is bid, an hour of time, who’ll 
give more?” 

“I’ll give one day!” joyously bid a thoughtless 
youth. He received it, and walked off in high glee. 

“Here is another! A novelty just out!" boldly 
cried the auctioneer. 


THE DEVIL’S AUCTION. 


255 


How anxiously all stepped forward, each one 
wishing to scrutinize the latest kind of pleasure 
offered. 

The highest bidder was a restless youth who 
offered his all for the coveted prize. 

Miss Church-Member was but lit tle interested 
in these proceedings and urged her companion to 
the next auction-stand where certain rights and 
privileges were sold. 

On the stand stood a glib-tongued fellow who 
announced that he would first offer for sale the 
Right to Sell Intoxicating Drink. “How much do 
I hear?” shouted the auctioneer as the cosmopoli- 
tan crowd looked on. 

“One hundred dollars per annum!” cried the 
people of one state. 

“One hundred, one hundred, going at one hun- 
dred!” 

“Two hundred dollars!” bid the representa- 
tives of another state. 

“Three hundred dollars!” was another offer 
that immediately came in. 

“That is far below the value!” shouted the 
auctioneer. “Remember all this money we get 
for licensing the saloon will go for charity or to 
help educate and civilize the people!” 

Thousands upon thousands cheered to the 
echo, while the fiendish auctioneer and his allies 
were highly pleased at the spectacle. 

“Three hundred, three hundred, altogether 
too low a sum for so great a privilege!” 


256 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“Five hundred dollars!” cried the authorities 
of another state. 

“Going at five hundred, five hundred, five hun- 
dred!” rapidly and hilariously yelled the auction- 
eer, and the crowd cheered lustily. 

“Still going at five hundred, five hundred! 
Who’ll give six hundred? First, second, and last 
warning, and sold at five hundred dollars to the 
state represented by yonder groups of delegates!” 

Thus the program continued, and the right to 
sell liquor under respectability was sold at vary- 
ing prices. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
left long before the auction was ended. They 
paused not at the other centers where Satan’s 
agents were selling their worthless and death- 
dealing merchandize to the children of men. 


Ihf: Devil’s Auction. See pcge 254. 









KM. 



































































CHAPTER XXI. 


The Devil’s Hospital. 


1. Miss Church-Member, suddenly attacked with 
heart trouble, is hurried away 10 the Hospital. 

2. She receives the attention of Satan’s fiendish 
surgical operators. 

3. A visit through the various wings of the Hospital 
and sub-offices. The fiendish work described. 

HE travelers of the Broad Highway pushed 



onward by millions, seemingly un con- 


scious of their end. Miss Church-Mem- 
ber had become so well accustomed to the ways of 
the world that she could now adapt herself with 
more ease to all the exigencies of the journey. 

In the midst of her favorable circumstances 
she was nursing the germs of an insidious dis- 
ease which rendered her heart weaker and 
weaker. At times short but sharp pains were 
felt ; and more than once her hand flew to her 
breast in evidence of the inward struggle. 

Her disease reached a climax after she had 
gone not far beyond the Valley of Convic- 
tion. She was walking along, in a happy mood, 
when she suddenly felt a pang in her heart, and 
mentioned the circumstance to Mr. World who 
was still her faithful companion. 

“What can it be, ” he asked, “that has been 
giving you this trouble for so long a time?’' 


•260 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

“That is beyond my knowlege,” she answer- 
ered with a weak voice, as she stood still and 
pressed both hands to her heart. 

Thoroughly alarmed, Mr. World called for 
help; while he supported her with his arm. 

“It seems strange,” gasped Miss Church- 
Member in a brief interval of relief, “that, with 
all the pure air along this way and. the variety of 
things to engage my attention, I should be seized, 
at shortening intervals, with these cruel and un- 
bearable heart-pangs. Oh, that I might be free 
from this intruder’s grasp! What shall I do ? 
Where shall I go ? I feel again the edge of the 
invisible blade!” 

At this she threw her arms upward and, 
shrieking in agony, was about to fall as she was 
caught by Mr. World. 

“Let us hurry ner off to the nearest hos- 
pital,” promptly suggestedone of theby-standers 
who had responded to the call for help. An am- 
bulance carried the fainting Miss Church-Mem- 
ber to one of Satan’s hospitals near by. 

The chief physician ordered the apparently 
lifeless form to be taken at once to an examina- 
tion room, granting Mr. World the privilege of 
remaining by the side of his suffering friend. 

A quick investigation disclosed the fact that 
Miss Church- Member had been overcome by a 
partial paralysis of the heart, induced by intense 
mental anxiety dating from the time when she 
had passed through the Valley of Conviction. 


An ambulance carried the fainting Miss Church-Member to one of Satan’s hospitals near by 








THE DEVIL’L HOSPITAL. 


263 


“Not a serious case, ” said the suave doctor in 
a reply to a question from the anxious Mr. World. 
“An operation will take away, almost entirely, the 
cause of this trouble. ” 

“Will you not explain to me the trouble, and 
the nature of the operation ?” nervously asked 
Mr. World. 

“Certain nerves which ramify through the 
human heart have been affected emotionally by 
the nonsensical teachings of the King’s Highway. 
These teachings are commonly known as ‘Narrow- 
Gauge Ideas.’ If these nerves are rendered 
insensible, there is scarcely any trouble of that 
kind again. We can, by an intricate operation, 
paralyze the mother-nerve leading to the heart, 
and thereafter you may expect to find the heart 
of this woman almost dead to the foolish influences 
that needlessly send conviction and remorse into 
so many lives.” 

While the physician was rapidly speaking 
these words, the surgeon had arrived, and they 
forthwith proceeded to the operating room. 

Mr. World watched the attendants as they 
carried Miss Church-Member away. He saw 
her no more that day, but heard that the opera- 
tion was successful, and that the patient was rest- 
ing quietly. 

One of the managers of the institution, know- 
ing that Mr. World was companionless, offered to 
escort him through the various departments of 
the Hospital. To do so he gave his hearty consent. 


264 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

They first went to the tower which proved to 
be a magnificent point of view. Here he could 
see far and wide, for the building itself was situ- 
ated on elevated ground, and the tower rose far 
into the air. 

On one side of the Hospital stretched away 
the Broad Highway more pleasing at this point of 
the route than at many others, and far away it 
seemed to lead into pleasant woodland realms. 

On the other side of the building passed the 
King’s Highway, which, at this point, was exceed- 
ingly rough and uninviting to the view. 

Thus I saw how the shrewdness of Hell was 
exercised in locating hospitals at such places. 

“Ignorance is the mother of all that folly,” 
said Mr. World with a feeling of self-satisfaction. 
“I see a long line of separate buildings just 
below us— there along the King’s Highway. What 
purpose do they serve ?” 

“Those are medical offices under the super- 
vision of this hospital- staff. Any one traveling 
on the Narrow Path, and falling sick there; may 
enter for help and restoration. If the case be 
difficult, or requiring an operation, or even special 
nursing, the patient is brought to the hospital.” 

“Are you successful in most of your opera- 
tions, especially with those patients who come 
from such a rugged path ?” 

“Fortunately we succeed in effecting a cure 
in almost every case. We can only deal with those 
who voluntarily come to our medical staff. Many, 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


265 


in sad need of our help, pass by all our special 
offices without ever seeking advice.” 

“Are your patients foolish enough, after 
having been treated, to go back to that jolting 
road, and thus again invite their ills ?” 

“Most of our patients go hence on the more 
delightful way which you see, and on which you 
have come hither.” 

“What diseases most commonly affect those 
who come to your physicians and hospitals for 
help ?” 

“Let me answer your question by taking you 
down to those offices. You may there observe for 
yourself.” 

I saw Mr. World and his escort enter a physi- 
cian’s office which stood as near the King’s High- 
way as Satan could build it. 

The doctor was examining a church deacon 
who, by reason of his disease, found it hard to 
travel on a way so narrow and rugged. He was 
given a vial of medicine with specific directions. 

After the patient had left, the doctor smiled 
derisively and pocketed his fee with ghoulish 
delight. 

“What ailed that man ?” asked Mr. World. 
“Can you tell me the cause of his malady ?” 

“He has been eating and eating sermons, ex- 
hortations, and pious literature, and has done 
scarcely any work for his so-called Master. Eat- 
ing much and working little generally results in 
gout or rheumatic diseases. There are large num- 


266 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

bers in the church coming here for treatment who 
are similarly affected. I suppose such Christians 
enjoy eating better than they enjoy working.” 

“Do you prepare them for better service on 
the King’s Highway ?” 

“Never ! My business is to give them such 
medicine as will make all kinds 'of spiritual food 
repulsive to them. Then, rather than starve, 
they go to the fat lands on the Broad Highway 
for which my medicine prepares them. There 
they eat of the fruit forbidden by their former 
Master, but it is sweet-tasting withal. Some go 
on in the forbidden kingdoms until death, and 
hold an honorable place in their first church. 
Others are dealt with more summarily on ac- 
count of the radical views entertained by certain 
bigots who wage warfare against a man who 
finds delight in gardens other than his own.” 

The electric bell summoned the doctor to 
the door. He opened it, and there stood a pilgrim 
from the King’s Highway. 

She entered and, fully exhausted, sank into 
a chair. 

“What is the difficulty ?” asked the physician 
in a cool manner. 

“Something terrible indeed, or else my com- 
rades accuse me unjustly.” 

“With what do they charge you, Miss Church- 
Member ?” he questioned, as he felt her pulse. 

“I am accused of being out of order just 
because I do not run all the time to prayer- meet- 


2 61 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 

mg and to other services of the church. They 
say I am not fit to travel this way, and therefore 
I have found it very difficult to get over some of 
the obstacles. Weariness and fatigue have almost 
dragged me to the earth. My persecution will 
prove to be my death, unless you can give me 
some medicine to relieve me.” 

“Let me see your tongue,” the physician re- 
quested. This done, he continued; “Ah! I can 
easily see, by your coated tongue, that you have 

already eaten more good things than you could 
digest. If there is any error, it is because you 
have already gone to church too much. I have 
medicine to cure you.” 

At that he walked into another room and 
opened a secret door. I saw him pour a liquid 
from a large bottle labeled, “Satan’s Malaria 
Cure.” It contained a mixture of unbelief, ridb 
cule, and self-righteousness. He filled a small 
vial with sugar pellets and saturated them with 
the mixture from the large bottle. 

“Take four globules every hour,” he direct- 
ed, as he gave her the medicine, “and I would 
further advise that you travel for your health.” 

“What climate would be most helpful tome?” 
she asked, for she was a lady of considerable 
means and could go where she wished. 

“A colder climate, where you will be free 
from the noonday sun, and breathe in a new 
atmosphere. This medicine will do the rest. ” 

She passed out of the door just as a feeble- 


268 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

man was entering. He was an old pilgrim and 
evidently suffering much. 

The doctor seized him by the hand with a 
strange vigor not even understood by Mr. World. 

“So you are under the power of ‘La Grippe,’ ” 
saluted the doctor. 

“Under the power of something, I am sure, 
for everything is wrong with me, and everything 
seems wrong to me,” was the slow answer. 

The doctor soon diagnosed his case, and 
gave him powders with directions. 

“It did not take you very long to attend to 
him,’’ said Mr. World, after the aged man left 
the office. 

“I deal with so many of that class that I keep 
the medicine ready. La Grippe is a splendid 
thing for my trade. It is affecting more pilgrims 
just now than any other disease. Some churches 
are more than decimated by the ravages of this 
plague. 

The manager then conducted Mr. World into 
another office where the doctor was just giving 
medical attention to a young lady who was suffer- 
ing with spiritual quinsy. It was so severe that 
she could not testify for Christ, and she wilfully 
passed by the “Great Physician” who could have 
healed her blessedly. She also passed by all the 
angels of mercy who throng the King’s Highway. 
She turned a deaf ear to all the singers who sang 
“Then why will ye die ?” Finally she was heavily 
pressed by her disease and, seeing a physician’s 


269 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 

office which she could enter without climbing a 
step, she went in and chose rather to be treated 
by a doctor of the Devil, as if dead to all the offers 
of mercy which she had rejected. 

She accepted his treatment without ques- 
tion, and even felt at ease in conscience, thinking 
that the easy, bland method of this physician 
was in every way preferable to the searching 
methods adopted by the Healer Divine. 

She regained her voice, but it lost that sweet 
accent of heaven which once had characterized 
it. It was now difficult and embarrassing for her 
to pronounce the name of Jesus. 

All this proved painful and intolerable, so she 
took a by-path to the left called “Unchastity” 
where she found a whole vocabulary of speech 
more suited to her utterance. 

She spent the rest of her days in the habita- 
tions of immorality along the Broad Highway, 
unmindful of the tears and kindly solicitude of her 
entreating friends. 

Into the third medical wing the two went 
only to see the fiendish program carried on there 
as in the other offices. The first patient they 
saw was a young man who, through the mis- 
guidance of a weakling, was persuaded to enter 
the office. 

This physician, with a smile on his face, but 
vile purpose in his heart, administered wilfully 
the very medicine that gave a transient gratifica- 
tion to the patient’s craving for narcotics, and 
P 


270 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 


which would finally cause the appetite to break- 
out anew into an inward burning and gnawing, 
swinging a master’s lash over him. 

The physician told him that his taste was in- 
herited, and it would consequently require much 
patience ere he could be cured. He gave him 
the devilish medicine, and urged him to continue 
using it until the bottle was drained to its dregs. 

At first it gave the promised relief, but the 
young man, now more deeply contaminated by 
the concoction of Hell, raged in wilder passion 
than ever, and verily ran to his utmost on the by- 
path of intemperance until the flower of his youth 
and manhood was blasted to the blackest, and his 
sense of honor lost in the hovels of vice and cor- 
ruption which, in great variety, stood along the 
Broad Highway. 

The book-keepers of Hell placed an additional 
mark to the credit of this doctor while the church 
looked on the young man’s fall somewhat indif- 
ferently, having been hardened by the frequency 
of similar occurrences. 

At the request of Mr. World the manager 
cond ucted him back to the hospital building and 
proceeded to show the various departments to 
him. 

There was some commotion in one of the 
operating rooms just as Mr. World entered. It 
proved to be the preliminary work necessary for 
dressing a severe scalp wound. 

It happened that a certain woman, named 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


271 


Mrs. Criticise r, who belonged to an active church, 
attempted to injure a good and holy man by hurl- 
ing stones at him. 

She noticed that the little stones did him no 
harm, so she seized one of larger size and hurled 
it at him with great force. He being a pure man, 
and standing on a rock, was not even touched by 
the missile; but it struck the great rock on which 
he was standing. The missile rebounded with 
unexpected force, and struck the head of Mrs. 
Criticiser with stunning effect. 

It was seen that the stone had made an ugly 
gash on her head, more severe and painful than 
she intended to inflict on the good Mr. Class- 
Leader. 

Her friends, being acquainted with the 
Devil’s Hospital, naturally carried her there for 
necessary attention. 

Mr. World saw Mrs. Criticiser brought into 
the room in a semi-conscious condition and 
watched the whole operation. 

The surgeon declared that a scar would be 
carried on her head all through life. Indeed 
there is no balm in Hell to cure the wounded head 
or heart so as not to leave a scar. Had she gone 
to “The Great Physician,” and asked aright to 
apply the “Balm of Gilead,” her head would have 
been healed aright. 

The manager then escorted Mr. World into 
one of the wards which was crowded to over-flow- 
ing. 


272 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

They tarried at the bedside of a man whose 
left arm and right leg were bandaged. There lay 
the poor fellow awaiting the slow processes of 
healing for his fractured bones. 

It was on this wise that this man, a certain 
Mr. Treacherous, came to this sorry plight. 

He wasa'n ambitious member of the church, 
and aimed to be elected to an office therein. His 
admirers were too few, so the majority vote was 
given for another, named Mr. Wisdom. 

This so aroused the jealousy of Mr. Treacher- 
ous that he was moved to seek amends for what 
he considered a stinging and crushing defeat. 

“This will I do,” said he, “I will dig a deep 
ditch across Mr. Wisdom’s path of success, and 
will shrewdly cover it from view, and as he 
chances along that way, in the course of his ser- 
vice, he will surely fall into this ditch to his hurt. 
Then will I glory in his downfall, so that the stings 
of this, my defeat, will not prick me so sharply.” 

So Mr. Treacherous, in the blackness of the 
night, digged the ditch and covered it ingeniously. 
Then he waited day after day to hear of Mr. 
Wisdom’s injury or death, that he might have 
cause for rejoicing. 

Now Mr. Treacherous, since his defeat, was 
so heavily weighed down with envy and a desire 
for revenge that he could not sleep soundly, and 
was wont to walkabout the house in a somnam- 
bulistic manner. 

One night, under the influence of one of these 


THE DEVIL’L HOSPITAL. 


273 


strange spells, he went from the house and walk- 
ed over the path that led to the ditch. 

To his great dismay and double disgrace he 
waked not until his body struck the bottom of the 
ditch. He was bruised, and some of his bones 
were broken, while he lay there in agony and cried 
all night long for help. 

Ere the morning broke he wished a thousand 
times that he had not dug the ditch so deep, or 
rather, had not dug it at all. 

A band of searchers found him and, lifting 
him from his disgrace, they hurried him to this 
hospital, for he was not minded to humble him- 
self still more by going to another place where 
Mr. Wisdom and his kind found relief in time of 
trouble. 

It is likely that. Mr. Treacherous will never 
be able to walk again as perfectly as he did before, 
for it is the reputation of surgeons and physi- 
cians of this hospital, in dealing with cases of 
such extreme folly, that they so manipulate an 
operation as to render the patient incapable of 
complete recovery. 

Mr. World and his congenial escort moved on 
from patient to patient, passing many hundreds 
who had met with accidents on the Broad High- 
way. 

Many had been wounded by the “sword of 
the Spirit” and were now hoping to be cured by 
the processes here in vogue. 

In passing on through another ward their 


274 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

attention was called to a woman w ho lay on a 
couch and seemed to be suffering more than she 
was able to bear. 

Mr. World inquired concerning her, and was 
told that she was one Miss Busy-body, a member 
in good standing, of Jefferson Avenue Church. 

She came to her grief in this strange manner. 
She had a special aptitude for sweeping before 
other people’s doors, and could always find dirt, 
even if she could not find anything better. 

She had been told repeatedly to sweep before 
her own door, but she did not heed this wise 
counsel, for she often said that there was no dirt 
visible about her own home. 

One day she went forth as usually, broom in 
hand, and swept the dirt from other doors than 
her own, much to the annoyance and provocation 
of neighbors, for she always raised the dust incon- 
tinently. 

Now by her continual neglect at home the filth 
had accumulated to such an extent that when she 
returned home and att empted to enter the door, 
her foot slipped on the greasy step, and she fell, 
breaking her collar bone, two of her ribs, and 
otherwise injuring herself. 

The manager told Mr. World that many such 
cases came to them for help every day — some 
from the King’s Highway and still more from the 
Broad Highway. 

They soon came to the bedside of one named 
Mr Jealousy who occupied a private room. He 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 275 

was somewhat convalescent when Mr. World saw 
him. 

Mr. Jealousy at one time was an active mem- 
ber of the church, but he undertook to stab Mr. 
Stability in the back. But Mr. Stability had a 
good back bone so strong that no knife that Mr. 
Jealousy could handle was able to penetrate it. 

One time in desperation Mr. Jealousy flung 
himself violently upon his imaginary foe. But his 
blade broke, and he himself fell upon it, cutting a 
terrible gash in his side. He was taken to this 
hospital for help. 

Thus did Mr. Jealousy bring upon himself the 
disfavor of his church and he was forthwith ex- 
pelled, for he refused to give promise of reforma- 
tion. 

Mr. World and the manager now came to a 
large door. 

“In this room, ” said the manager, “we keep all 
our cancer patients. We have a large number of 
them and, since they require special treatment, 
we keep them separate to facilitate the work of the 
physicians and nurses. 

I saw them enter the room, and heard the 
words of surprise that fell from the lips of Mr. 
World as he saw the magnitude of this depart- 
ment. 

“These are they,” explained the chief of the 
division, “who came here through ‘p r °f ane an d 
vain babblings.’” 

Mr. World then passed through the leprosy 


276 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

ward where he saw quite a few who were once 
cleansed by the Divine Healer, but who, failing 
to give thanks for their recovery, suffered fatal 
relapse and were now in the last stages of this 
dread disease. 

This place was so loathsome to him that he 
was hastened into the general department where 
he saw all manner of patients, each in his par- 
ticular dilemma. 

A great number of this section were suffering 
from disordered livers, and of these not a few 
came from the church. 

One such, who was a wealthy mau, had so far 
protruded his disagreeableness upon the commu- 
nity that the church officials voluntarily gave him 
medicine for his liver. This was of no avail. He 
still grew more irritable and complained about the 
preacher, the sexton, the choir, and even his own 
wife. The weather never suited him, and when 
he gave any testimony about religion it was always 
a partial outline of the supposed or real sorrows 
and troubles of the Christian pilgrimage. 

While suffering from one of his morbid spells, 
he listened to the voice of the tempter who per- 
suaded him to seek help at the hands of the physi- 
cians under the control of this Hospital. 

These doctors dosed him until they persuaded 
him to submit to an operation, and the fiendish 
surgeon knew how to render him still more liable 
to trouble after his imaginary restoration toward 
which he was looking when Mr. World saw him- 


THE DEVIL’S HOSPITAL. 


277 


When he leaves this Hospital he can never be 
cured from the fiercer subsequent attacks unless 
he be born again, and such an event Satan knows 
is very unlikely to occur. 

Mr. World, in passing, spoke to quite a few 
who were suffering from spiritual dyspepsia, con- 
sumption, and a great number of other ailments 
which had developed into chronic form, or had 
made necessary the surgeon’s cruel knife, and 
then, turning to his obliging friend, asked if he 
could not now see Miss Church Member. 

He was taken into a special department ar- 
ranged for those who were convalescent. 

MissChurch-Member smiled, for the first time 
since the operation, when she saw hc-r faithful and 
loving friend. 

The pleasant interview soon ended at the be- 
hest of the nurse, and Mr. World was asked if he 
wished to enter the secret departments under- 
ground. 

This question aroused his curiosity and led to 
a lengthy conversation after which he expressed 
a desire to visit the secret chambers. 

He was conducted into a dark office and asked 
to sign a pledge that lay on a desk. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


Satan’s Secret Service, 


1. While Miss Churcft-Member is convalescent, Mr. 
World alone visits the underground apartments where 
•secret sins are taught. 

2. The last horrible stages of vice represented. 


SAW Mr. World standing in a shadowy 



room and reading the conditions of entering 


“Satan's Secret Service.” He was soon 
surprised by hearing a voice from a gloomy cor- 
ner: “You cannot gain entrance to these secret 
“abodes unless you sign that pledge.” 

“The meaning of the pledge is not clear to 
me. Who will explain it?” asked Mr. World 
somewhat tremulously. 

“You can read between those lines all you 
wish. Those sentences must be their own inter- 
preters, and you must choose to sign or withdraw 
from this room, just as you prefer,” came the 
firm answer from thi dark corner. 

Before Mr. World could decide what particu- 
lar course to take, a hand gently touched his 
shoulder. He turned to see who stood in the 
rear. 

“O, Mr. World, thou needst not fear to sign 
the pledge and enter the secret service of our 
great and glorious master,” were the words that 
greeted him in a friendly tone. 


SAEAN’S SECRET SERVICE. 


279 


“Who art thousand how earnest thou here ?” 
asked Mr. World in suspense. 

“I came here from ‘going to and fro in the 
earth, and from walking up and down in it. 
Then, without uttering another word, the strange 
visitor lifted the pledge from the desk and read 
it audibly: 

“Into these darker chambers let me go, 

I promise to conceal its scenes of woe, 

And solemnly declare, as here I stand, 

That I will aid this secret working band.” 

“What can there be about that pledge not 
suited to your wish ? It means that you are to 
have your eyes opened to behold new things, and 
also to learn the secret laws of life, healthful to 
your marrow and your bone.” 

Mr. World hesitated no longer. He signed 
the document forthwith, and a pass- word was 
whispered in his ear. 

Suddenly a door opened at one end of the 
room, through which Mr. World walked into a 
large cavern which was illuminated only by faint 
glimmerings of light. 

He could discern faintly that many creatures 
were there whose uncanny noises, freighted with 
oaths and blasphemies, sent their sulphurous 
fumes around. Although Mr. World was ac- 
customed to foul scenes and profanity, yet he 
was sickened at this deeper touch of Hell. 

“Where am I and how came I here?” he 
cried out excitedly. A woman came quickly in 


280 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

response to his outcry. 

“You are in a place of liberty and personal 
license,” she answered. “Here you are free from 
the annoyances of narrow-minded pilgrims from 
the King’s Highway, and you may spend a season 
in pure delight in these secret abodes which you 
will find more and more suited to the cravings of 
your natural heart and mind.” 

Now Mr. World was a somewhat judicious 
man, and although he would not sanction what 
he called church fanaticism, yet he had some 
self-respect, and had never allowed himself to 
reach the slum-level of society. 

“Here I cannot and will not stay. Are there 
no other apartments to which I can go ?” he ask- 
ed, as the woman offered him a glass of wine, and 
in a sensual way entreated him to remain. 

Mr. World was a lover of wine, but was sus- 
picious of the place, and so he moved to go and 
found great difficulty in getting to another door, 
which, at last, he reached only by determination, 
and giving a pass-word, he went into the first 
regular department of Satan’s Secret Service. 

This place which was secretly connected with 
the Wizard City, was one of Satan’s centers from 
which originated schemes and devices to commit 
and practice embryonic murder. 

I saw in this dark cavern the sons and daugh- 
ters of earth, high and low, noble and ignoble, 
and my heart bled within at what I further wit- 
nessed. 


SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE. 281 

Mr. World passed through from one section 
to another, studying carefully the secret proces- 
ses in vogue, while the illustrations, drawn by 
the artists of the Devil, instead of sending the 
blush of shame to his cheek, only fed his inner 
curiosity and verily aroused his baser passions. 

Having finished, he gave the pass-word and 
was admitted to a sub-department called Foeti- 
cide. 

This section, and the one he had just left, 
were located directly under the physicians’ offices 
along the King’s Highway. It could be seen that 
there was direct connection between these offices 
and the horrible subterraneous apartments 
through which Mr. World was now passing. 

So many unnatural and horrible things were 
practiced in this sub-department that Mr. World 
was shocked beyond measure, for he had never 
dreamed of the extent of the malpractice to which 
his eyes here bore testimony. 

All these things, while at first revolting, were 
only hardening his own heart to such an extent 
that, before he had passed through the last wing 
of the department, and heard the apologetic 
words of those who were in charge, he concluded 
that these agencies conduced to much good. 

Oh! thought I, how the light of Hell casts a 
strange coloring over the things of earth, there- 
by creating false theories of mortal life. 

By means of the pass-word Mr. World was 
enabled to visit the next department where he 


282 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

witnessed sights more revolting than in any 
place previously entered. Here groveled the 
youth under the power of so-called stimulating 
medicaments. 

Mr. World, with all his wickedness, was chill- 
ed with horror at these underground spectacles. 

Noticing his evident disgust, one came to 
him and offered soothing explanations to which 
he listened very attentively. 

“This is a blessed place,” spoke the new- 
comer. “We, who are skilled in crime, give the 
youthful an expert training in the ways of pollu- 
tion and kindred types of immorality. It is far 
better to teach the young to sin aright and with 
least damage to themselves, than place them 
under all restraint and see them fall more wretch- 
edly than these.” 

With all the moral turpitude of Mr. World he 
was scarcely ready, at first hearing to accept 
this grinding sophistry of Hell. 

“Are you quite sure, my friend, doubted Mr. 
World, that you are speaking words of soberness 
to me ? Do you feel proud of the results of the 
work here accomplished ?” 

“Proud indeed, for our master has given us 
encomiums for the splendid work accomplished. 
You see, Mr. World, it is a settled fact that young 
people will sin, notwithstanding all the influence 
exerted to the contrary. Such as we can per- 
suade we take under our direction, and try, as 
soon as possible, to harden them in personal 


SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE. 2 83: 

crime. Our physicians have special medicines to 
inflame their propensities, so that they may, by 
continual burning, consume themselves and spare 
the youth from otherwise being tormented day 
and night in these flames of passion. Are you so 
dull, Mr. World, that you cannot grasp such self- 
evident truth ?” 

“It seems now somewhat clearer to my 
mind, but still my eyes behold such horrid scenes 
around me.” 

“I cannot question that,” continued the* 
smooth-tongued agent of darkness, “yet what you 
see are but the lower stages. If you could look be- 
yond these corridors dark, and see the types of 
womanhood which grow out of this undersoil, you 
would no longer breathe in doubt or look with 
shuddering frame on scenes around you. All- 
good things come forth through putrefaction. 
Then why should you despise the putrefaction ? 
Be content, Mr. World, and as you walk along the 
path of life, remember this great College under- 
ground, and recommend its salient features to 
the rising generation. You have signed the 
pledge and promised to aid this secret working 
band. So do it with a vim, keeping in view the 
blossoms and the fruit of after-growth.” 

Mr. World was completely won by this false- 
and devilish reasoning, and looked on the whole 
program of shame quite philosophically. 

‘He took full cognizance of the far-reaching 
effects of this section and, after an interview with' 


284 ' MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

one of the head physicians, he proceeded to visit 
the next section. 

But what he saw there will not be told. Mo 
pen can describe and no tongue relate the loath- 
some filth of this last stage of immorality. 

An awful stench filled the air arising from 
medicines of, last resort and from the putrefying 
flesh that clothed the living skeletons. 

It was by mistake that Mr. World got into 
this place. The door opened to admit a few “Un- 
fortunates,” as they were called, by attendants, 
and Mr. World, standing near by, entered with- 
out permission. 

He was no sooner inside the door than he 
was frantically seized by a sunken-eyed creature. 

‘ ‘O man of health, deliver me from this inner 
eating and from the grave that opens to me its 
mouldy mouth!” was the heart-rending cry that 
grated on the ears of Mr. World. 

Another, hearing this pleading cry, came 
rushing toward the same spot and sobbed piteous- 

iy- 

“Oh ! Mr. World, have pity on me ! I had help 
when I had means and vitality. Oh ! give me some 
relief now.” 

Mr. World was so terror-stricken that he could 
not speak, but struggled to be gone. 

He gained double strength but of no use. 
These two men imagined that they had a claim on 
him by reason of his name, and therefore held on 
with tightening grasp. 


SATAN’S SECRET SERVICE. 285 

For a moment Mr. World ceased his strug- 
gling and looked at his two pitiable beseechers. 

“I can give you nothing. Why torment me 
thus ?” he tremblingly gasped with abated breath. 

“In our better days we gave all we had to 
the world and now we need help. Surely you 
can give it.” They became furious and ranted 
the more at the thought of their past folly. 

“Why come to me ? Go to Mr. Flesh, or ask 
the Devil for help,” pleaded Mr. World. 

“We have served the World, the Flesh, and 
the Devil. All have failed us miserably. To 
whom else can we go but to anyone within our 
reach ? Oh ! forsake us not in this awful plight !” 

Poor Mr. World, unable longer to bear the 
sickening and threatening attack, sank to the filth- 
covered floor and groaned aloud. 

At once a fierce and powerful being came to 
the rescue and, flinging the two unfortunates 
aside, lifted Mr. World to his feet and looked 
down upon him with his awful eyes. 

Mr. Intemperance lay crouching near the 
side of Mr. Lust, each smarting under the pain 
of his fall. 

“How came you to this place ?” sternly asked 
the monster. 

“By walking in at the door, ” answered the 
terrified Mr. World. 

“Without permission ?” he further asked. 

“There was no one there to ask, and I, being 
out sight-seeing, thought I might also enter in 


Q 


286 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER, 
here. ” 

The monster seized Mr. World by the arms 
and looked at him in a still more frightful man- 
ner. 

‘‘You are not yet ready to come in to this 
region, and if you will solemnly pledge me that 
you will never reveal what you saw here, I will 
conduct you safely to the door; if not, you must 
here remain in penal chains till death gives re- 
lief.” 

Mr. World humbled himself and gave double 
assurance of secrecy. Then the grim creature 
conducted him a little to one side and bade him 
look down into a deep and dark yawning chasm. 

“Down there,” commenced the Old Monster, 
“runs the Black River of Destruction, deep and 
wide. The stream, coming from its distant 
source, drains the whole realm of human society, 
and not far hence it enters into the boundless 
ocean of eternal death. The wild sounds which 
you hear are the unseen dashings of its never- 
ceasing waves, and the moans of those who have 
fallen victims to its merciless currents.” 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

The Last Warning. 


1. Miss Church-Member is now induced to frequent 
the haunts of vice in “The Wicked Valley.” 

2. The blessed work of Warning- as given by rescue 
bands from the King’s Highway. 

3. The heedless throngs passing by. 

4. The experiences at this place of Mr. World and 
Miss Church-Member . 

/^■'HERE was a joyful meeting in the recep- 
W I tion room of the hospital when Mr. World, 
returning from his underground experien- 
ces, met his beloved friend Miss Church-Member 
who had recovered sufficiently to resume the jour- 
ney. 

In joyful spirits they sauntered forth on the 
wide and pleasant path, away from the hospital 
and toward their imaginary Heaven. 

Miss Church-Member’s face was more cheer- 
ful and her footsteps more buoyant than at any 
time since she left the Valley of Conviction. 

Mr. World, observing her favorable condition* 
complimented her with these words: “Blessed be 
the memory of that Hospital, for I can see that your 
face is no more covered with the cloud of care that 
once robbed you of so many joys. The unkind 
intruder has drifted away, and now the light 
radiates from your every feature. It is also 


288 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

plainly evident that you are no more tormented by 
a troubled conscience.” 

“I am glad that my sufferings have not been 
in vain,” she modestly declared. “May the new 
light which you so readily notice in my face add 
to the pleasantness of our journey and the profit 
of our lives.” 

Their conversation grew more and more 
pleasant as they passed through a long stretch of 
woodland. They could see beyond them and in 
the rear the legions that were traveling the 
same path and in the same direction. 

Emerging from the woodland they saw that 
their path came again in close proximity to the 
King’s Highway. 

The intervening space between the two paths, 
called the Wicked Valley, was all astir with every 
form of evil as practiced in the world of sin. In 
this vale nearly every traveler on the Broad High- 
way tarries awhile, and many are lured away from 
the Highway of the King here to mingle with 
Mammon. 

Mr. World and his friend paused opposite a 
^cluster of magnificent buildings with frontage 
toward the Heavenly Way. Some were used by 
vulgar theatricals; some devoted to the sensual 
dance; some were occupied by the Devil’s maid- 
servants in prostitution, and many others were 
used as haunts of intemperance and personal 
pollution. 

All along the road to perdition at thousands 


THE LAST WARNING. 


289 


of places stand such clusters of buildings, each 
under the command of one of Satan’s most efficient- 
leaders. 

“Here,” said Mr. World, “let us take a long 
rest. If you have your glasses properly adjusted 
you can see new beauty behind magnificent walls. ” 

She looked at first doubtfully. “Ah! I never 
frequented such places before. I would not as 
much as look at them.” 

“I doubt not your word, Miss Church-Mem- 
ber, but remember you are growing older and 
wiser You are no more a narrow-minded crear 
ture influenced by prejudice and sophistry.” 

She was now in a condition to imagine that 
much of her earlier instruction was erroneous. 
She had not forgotten the teaching of the sermon 
in Mr. World’s church. Subsequently she rea- 
soned that the only way to learn the taste of for- 
bidden fruit was to eat of it. 

“I will enter these buildings as a student,”" 
she soliloquized. “I will practice cautiousness. 
Surely I have sufficiently clear judgment to dis. 
cern between good and evil.” 

The crafty Mr. World, having won her confi- 
dence, escorted her all through the Wicked Val- 
ley. By a continual palliation she yielded one 
point after another until her virtue was sacrificed 
on a cursed altar. 

Satan assisted her in solving many perplex- 
ing problems when she reeled in the realm of 
doubt. 


290 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

At the conclusion of their protracted visit I 
heard the wicked Mr. World say to his beloved 
friend: “Your eyes are completely cured. You 
may now with safety lay the glasses aside. I 
hope you will have no occasion to use them again. 

Of the multitudes that tarried here from the 
Narrow Way very few went out at the front door. 
Having stultified themselves, they passed from 
the rooms at the rear, and thenceforth traveled 
on the other path more suited to their changed 
natures. 

The two congenial companions, proceeding on 
their way, soon overtook a company of church- 
members. 

In the social intercourse which ensued each 
one resented the criticisms of those who refused 
to leave the Old Path. 

“Verily, ” said one, “I now enjoy more liberty. 
I believe the road to Heaven s hould be as broad- 
gauged as possible.” 

“Certainly it should,” said another. “Those 
who want to climb hills and continually suffer in- 
conveniences may do so. As for me, I want to 
reach Heaven on the easiest road. I believe this 
course leads to Paradise just as directly as the 
other.” 

These utterances were highly complimented 
by Mr, World, and he said that he was to be con- 
gratulated on meeting and associating with such 
congenial people. “On the way on which we are 
now traveling one can reach his reward as cer- 


THE LAS T WARNING. 


291 


tainlv and as speedily as on any other route. In 
addition, one can here enjoy natural and graceful 
pleasures which of course are not tolerated un- 
der the eyes of selfish and narrow-minded bigots. ’ ’ 

I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member, 
now more intimate than ever, pass on alone ever 
walking more hastily. Satan had told them, dur- 
ing their stay in the Wicked Valley, that the 
faster they journeyed the sooner and the more 
certainly they would reach their reward. 

Not far beyond the Wicked Valley there is a 
place called Place of Warning. It has been main- 
tained for thousands of years by virtuous workers 
from the King’s Highway. 

It is the last warning-station that travelers 
pass before reaching the Valley of the Shadow 
of Death, and here with tearful earnestness do the 
Shining Pilgrims of the cross speak their words of 
last caution, sing their sweet hymns of warning, 
and put forth every other loving endeavor in 
the hope of snatching some from the thoughtless 
throngs that go rushing by toward the Dark Val- 
ley. 

I listened and heard a voice from the Place of 
Warning speak to a motley crowd that were pass- 
ing. 

“Whither go ye, whither go ye?” 

“We go to a better place called Heaven,” an- 
swered one of the company. 

“Then come hither and go on the Path of Life. 
The way on which thou art now traveling leadeth 


292 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 


unto everlasting death.” 

“Aha! Aha! Aha!” cried they all. “We are 
well informed about the way and need no foreign 
voice to give direction.” 

Then came the solemn hymn of warning in 
words so tender and clear that each one could hear 
every sentence: 

“There’s a sad day coming, 

A sad day coming, 1 

There’s a sad day coming by and by; 

When the sinner shall hear his doom: 

Depart, I know you not. 

Are you ready for that day to come?” 

CHORUS: 

“Are you ready? Are you ready? 

Are you ready for the judgment day?” 

The words had not yet died on the air when a 
young man ran hastily from the company toward 
the Way of Life. His companions then gave vent 
to their ridicule, some even going after him and 
endeavoring to pull him back, but without avail. 

Some sang an idle song to drown the hymn of 
warning that still rang in their ears. Others en- 
gaged in boisterous conversation, and still others 
mocked with foul profanity. They passed on, and 
as far as I could see them they were pushing to 
the Valley of Death. 

I saw another man who was heavily burden- 
ed with pieces of timber on which was written 
“Faults of Church-members.” He also came to 


THE LAST WARNING. 


293 


the Palce of Warning. 

“Throw off the cumbersome weight you are 
carrying on your back, and travel on the way 
where your burden will be light, ” came a friendly 
voice from the Rescue Station. 

I am not so foolish as to throw away my 
only hope,” he answered with unthankfulness in 
his tone. 

‘“Your only hope,’ ” repeated the ^ oice of 
warning, “how can you explain such foolish 
words ?” 

“With passing ease. I will soon come to the 
River of Death and with these boards I can make 
myself a raft whereon I can pass over safely.” 

Then spake the voice of warning clearer than 
before: 

“O, foolish man ! Knowest thou not that the 
River of Death, toward which thou art rapidly 
moving, cannot be crossed in a bark so frail ? I 
have seen millions who tried in vain to ride its 
angry currents covered by its dark waters. 
Come, O mortal man, if thou hast nothing better 
on which to depend, listen to the voice of wisdom 
and come, without delay, to the Path of Glory. ” 
But the man passed on. I watched him till 
he reached the river, and saw him go from the 
shore in his self-constructed raft. 

“I sink ! I sink ! Save me!” he cried in ut- 
most agony of terror as his little raft whirled 
about, leaving the poor self-deceived fellow to the 
mercy of the waves. 


294 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

I saw others as they passed the Place of 
Warning. Thousands and tens of thousands, 
some now totally deaf to every voice of warning, 
some with cotton-filled ears, and others with in- 
struments of music with which they drowned the 
the calls of warning. 

Many more passed by who carried little bal- 
loons of self-righteousness with which they ex- 
pected to rise above the murky River of Death. 

A young woman, who moved more cautiously, 
stopped at the Place of Warning and listened 
attentively. 

Directly a voice spoke to her: “Not far 
hence, O mortal woman, there is a wide river. It 
surges on forever. No one who goes this way can 
escape its waters. Listen now to the voice of 
Wisdom. Leave this blood- marked way of misery 
and w T oe, and come to these happier dominions 
where ‘her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all 
her paths are peace.’ ” 

“Surely I will not be lost,” she replied. “I 
am depending on the mercy of God who is too 
kind to be unjust. I will come out all right in 
the end.” 

“Take heed, my friend,” pleaded the warning 
voice. “You are hoping for mercy at the dividing 
line between time and eternity. But bet ter remem- 
ber what the Scripture saith. ‘He that is unjust, let 
him be unjust still: and he who is filthy let him be 
filthy still. ’ So thou canst not wilfully ueglect 
so great salvation and hope that God will cover at 


295 


THE LAST WARNING. 

last all thy folly. ‘Now is the accepted time, 
behold, now is the day of salvation.’ ‘To-dav if 
ye hear his voice, harden not your hearts.’ ” 

“You have said nothing new to me. They 
are the old thread-bare passages that I have heard 
from my youth up, and I am minded to accept a 
broader view of these statements than you seem 
to take of them. ’’ 

At this she tossed her head haughtily and 
continued her journey, resolving more firmly 
than ever that she would not spend eternity out- 
side the Gates of Hea ven. 

When she came to the Dark Valley and to the 
angry swelling currents, her pitiful prayer broke 
out from the long-covered depth of her soul. 
“Mercy, O mercy, to a wretch like me !” But no 
hand came to her rescue. 

I saw Mr. World and Miss Church-Member 
as they approached the Place of Warning. They 
heard the sweet music, rendered so excellently, 
giving no attention to the sentiment expressed 
by the words, but only to the harmony of sounds. 

“O, Miss Church-Member!” pleaded a voice, 
“you who were once so earnestly engaged on the 
King’s Highway, will you not, before you reach 
the River of Death, forsake your perilous course 
and walk on the path of life eternal ?’’ 

These words, which would have once brought 
conviction to her heart, now only brought vanity 
to her head. 

“ ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged,’ and go 


298 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

speak to the lost, not to me so well equipped to 
meet the direst foe. Turn your words to those 
on the other path, who go hobbling along in 
misery, not fit to live or die.” 

“Come, come!” put in Mr. World, “your 
pearls before swine are only trampled under foot. 
Forget not so quickly the teachings of our Lord. ” 
As they passed on, in a self-righteous man- 
ner, she cheerily looked into his face and said: 
“It was kind in you to come so promptly to my 
rescue. I might have prattled there a whole day 
and yet not have shown them half their folly.’* 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

The Valley of the Shadow of Death. 

1. Mr. World and Miss Church-Member getting 1 
farther from the light. 

2. They drift into the deepening shadows where the 
path could be traveled only one way. 

3. The terrible experience ofnhe two companions 
contending with the imps of the dark valley. 

4. Their sad and tragic end as they catch a glimpse 
of what they might have been. 

FTER leaving the place of the Last Warn- 
the Broad Highway grew darker 
and darker as it steadily diverged from 
the King’s Highway. 

The little light that Satan’s pilgrims do enjoy 
is borrowed from “the path of the just that shin- 
eth more and more unto the perfect day.” 

Mr. World saw the deepening shadows, and 
endeavored to be as cheerful as usually, hoping 
thereby to prevent any alarm in the mind of his 
faithful friend. 

The path, though wide, was now steeply 
descending, and travellers often slipped on the 
steeper inclines. 

I saw that the two companions descended 
with difficulty, cautiously watching every foot- 
step, lest they, like many others, should fall to 
their hurt. They now gave but little attention to 
the things along the way, and when they did 


» 


298 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER 

pause for rest on the easier grades, they found 
the meadows more barren and everything more 
dark and dank. 

Miss Church-Member had been painfully 
conscious of these unhappy contrasts, and asked 
repeatedly the meaning of all that her eyes be- 
held and her heart realized, but Mr. World, true 
to his nature, partly allayed her fears with words 
of hope and glowing promises. 

But I heard her again ask with a quivering 
voice: “Where is the light that so lately lent its 
blessed cheer, and whither go we stumbling 
downward in the dark ?” 

“We only go in the darkest hour that comes 
before the dawn,” he said with a firm voice but a 
trembling heart. “Be hopeful, my dear, I will 
not forsake you.” 

Her heart was not calmed, for she could see 
his distress which he had hoped to cover, and no 
one could minimize the surrounding scenes which 
now seemed like omens of death. 

They stood still, and learned, upon inquiry, 
that they were standing in the Shadows of Pre- 
monition. 

Mr. World could no longer endure the strain. 
His bold attitude gave way to his rising fears, for 
he saw that his wasted life was ending with no 
opportunity of redeeming its days. His whole 
body quivered as they walked still farther in a 
desperate effort to find relief. 

Miss Church-Member was almost overcome 


299 


THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. 

as she continued looking upon the ominous dark- 
ness around. She soon realized that her only 
refuge whom sne had seized by the arm proved 
miserably weak in this hour of great need, 

‘‘Oh ! Mr. World / 5 she cried, in utmost agony 
of mind, “where have you led me ? Save me ere 
I perish !” 

He spoke not, but with his aspen fingers he 
pointed backward toward the sloping Highway, 
and then with all eagerness they endeavored to 
retrace their steps, but without avail. They 
learned, to their dismay, that this last section of 
the path could be traveled only one way. 

They stood again in their wretched dilemma 
and heard the sound of distant waters, doleful to 
their ears, and from this they could distinguish 
the bitter wails of those who also found that they 
could not return. 

Mr. World and Miss Church-Member cast 
their eyes heavenward and discerned that they 
were standing in a very deep valley. They saw 
the dim outlines of all their past evil life. Each deed 
stretched away at interminable length , and in the 
aggregate they were piled , like ledge upon ledge , until 
they verily shut out the mercy of a just God. 

Here they stood in the first shadow of their 
self-constructed Hell. 

“Oh, what a valley !” shrieked Miss Church- 
Member, as her consciousness now revealed to 
her more in one second than all the fanciful 
dreams of a life-time evolved. 


300 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

And Mr. World was undone. He knew not 
which way to turn. He was speechless as he 
saw so clearly the product of his life’s work al- 
most overarching him. 

Finally Mr. World cried out excitedly: “If 
we cannot go back, neither will we go forward !” 

Then a grim monster spoke in a slow, dead 
tone: “No one remainethhere; away, away from 
this place!” 

Miss Church-Member was terrorized at the 
presence of so cold a creature and frantically 
cried out: “I cannot and will not endure it! Can 
I not go back to the Voice of Warning ?’’ 

“Back ? Never ! No one who comes thus far 
ever goes back. During the earthly life of one 
called Jesus there was but one snatched from 
these lowlands, and he was the thief on the 
cross.” 

“If there was chance for a thief, there might 
be hope for me,” she sighed as her wretched 
face brightened. 

“Hope for you ?” repeated the cold-hearted 
monster, “none whatever, and for none of your 
kind who come thus far. Pass on, make room for 
the thousands coming this way, the sound of 
whose tread you already hear. ” 

Looking at Mr. World she pitifully sobbed: 
“Why do you not help me? You have brought 
me here; plead my cause.” 

“Alas, I cannot even plead my own!” He 
could say no more, for he took a longing glance 




Struggling with the real anchimaginary imps near the Black River in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. 



THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. 303 


backward, over the hills of time, where he could 
truly see, for the first time, the horrible depth of 
his folly. 

Then came the monstrous creature and stern- 
ly commanded them: “Tarry no more on this side 
of the river’s brink.” 

They tasted the bitter fruits of opportunities 
iost, and felt the awful pangs of a soul without 
hope as their reluctant footsteps carried them on 
through the valley made dark by the shadow of 
their own deeds. 

I then heard the discordant and agonizing 
wails of poor Miss Church-Member and her 
wretched companion; but the sounds fell har- 
moniously on the ears of Satan who listened to 
them chiming with the music of Hell, in its death- 
like rythm, as it reverberated forever from the 
depth beyond them, and from the throngs pass- 
ing by. 

Miss Church-Member could *no longer hold 
fast to Mr. World. It took both arms to contend 
with the real and imaginary imps w T ho stood grin- 
ning at her folly, and ever tormented her from all 
sides. 

“O mercy ! mercy ! where am I ?” she shriek- 
ed. “How can you be so heartless, Mr. World ? 
Why not rid me of these fiends 

“Cry to me no more !” he groaned out in an- 
guish. “I am also overwhelmed with foes and 
fears that verily drag me down with infernal and 
relentless grasp.” 


304 MR. WORLD AND MISS CHURCH-MEMBER. 

This only deepened her pathetic cry, for she 
saw that she was lost forever, and realized anew 
that Mr. World was unable to give help, contrary 
to all his promises of the past. 

Then did. they look forth, and beheld afar off 
the Valley of the Shadow of Death through 
which the King’s Highway passed. They saw 
that its foot-sore pilgrims leaned upon a rod and 
staff, and that they were supported by the pierced 
hands of a Friend that sticketh closer than a 
brother. 

Neither did the pilgrims fear any evil nor 
tremble at any foe, for Christ was their all in all, 
and his lovely light lit the whole valley until it 
was all aglow with heavenly radiance. 

This vision revealed to Mr. World and Miss 
Church-Member the place where they might have 
been, and pierced their hearts as with a thou- 
sand daggers. 

They soon .stood on the verge of the Awful 
River which was tilled with the tilth and slimy 
putrefaction of the world, the fungus growth of 
society, and the scum of all nationalities. From 
these currents came unearthly sounds, doleful 
lamentations, melancholy and hopeless. 

Not far down the stream they saw the fitful 
light of an eternal burning whose ghastly glare 
lit the water crests ot the Black River. 

I saw a relentless monster, in deep silence, 
stretching forth his bony arm, and with his icy 
fingers he pushed the two companions from the 






When they, who journey the King’s Highway, reach the River of Death, they are met by a convoy of 

angels and borne aloft to the very gates of the Celestial City. 



THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. 307 

brink of the river, thus bringing them face to face 
with the last enemy whose sharp sting they felt 
as they were being overwhelmed by the merci- 
less waves. 

Their heart-rending cries for mercy brought 
no relief. They had sinned against all light, and 
had even spurned the last kindly warning. The 
Door of Hope was shut forever. 

As they were sinking to rise no more they 
caught another vision of the Shining Pilgrims of 
the King’s Highway, and saw that when they 
reached the brink of the River of Death they 
were met by a convoy of angels, on whose snowy 
pinions they were borne aloft to the very gates 
of the Celestial City which apparently stood on 
white clouds. 


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